Thai-based Charoen Pokphand Foods, a leading agro-industrial and food conglomerate, has reached an agreement with Gunkul Engineering to develop the ‘CPF Solar Rooftop’ project. With a total capacity of 40MW, it will be the largest solar rooftop project ever to be implemented in Thailand. The solar rooftops will be installed at CP Foods’ manufacturing plants, which the company says will enable it to produce food in an environmentally friendly way.

 

As a renowned food manufacturer, CP Foods aims to work in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure that its production is energy-efficient. The solar rooftop project will reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by 28,000 equivalent tonnes of CO2, which is in addition to the upwards of 79,000 equivalent tonnes the company says it has already removed as part of its commitment to sustainability.

 

A US$42m project

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Gunkul Engineering will invest in 100-per-cent of the project, including design, construction, and system maintenance throughout the 15-year contract. The co-operation takes the form of a power purchase agreement (PPA) with a total project value of THB 1.4bn (US$42.2m). Construction will involve the installation of around 120,000 solar cells on roofs covering four of CP Foods’ business units (livestock, aquaculture, food processing and ready-to-eat meals), with a total installation area of 230,000 square metres.

 

CP Foods co-president, Mr Sukhawat Dansermsuk, said: “With CP Foods’ vision to be the ‘kitchen of the world’ we are recognised by customers around the world for producing high-quality and safe foods that comply with international standards. Using clean energy, like solar power generation, is a strategic move that will promote CP Foods’ sustainable growth at the global stage. CP Foods is looking forward to continuously increasing new eco-friendly energy sources in response to its sustainable growth goals.”

 

Chairman of Gunkul Engineering, Mr Gunkul Dhumrongpiyawut, said: “This co-operation will mark an important step for Gunkul and will prove that solar energy can be used commercially in the industry.”