British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria has announced a £1m, 2-year investment plan for the implementation of a 1mw solar panel renewable energy solution (without backup battery storage).
The renewable energy solution will generate a cumulative energy of 1,400,000kwh annually that would represent about six per cent of BAT’s factory’s annual power requirement.
A statement from the company to mark this year’s World Environment Day, said the 1,400,00kwh would be injected directly into the company’s energy mix.
The new alternative power, which will consist of the installation of 1,900 polar panels, would complement the gas engine-powered supply at its Ibadan factory.
The statement said the company is making the new investment over the next two years. The project is also expected to reduce BAT’s carbon emissions (by the equivalent of 992 tons annually).
“This will take the company closer to its target of 100% renewable energy source and carbon neutrality by 2030,” the company said, adding that this is in addition to delivering a positive social impact and ensuring robust corporate governance across its operations.
The company also highlighted some of its achievements and plans in the areas of waste and water management, reduction in Co2 emissions and transition to renewable energy sources in its operations.
On the investment, BAT area director, West and Central Africa, Yarub Al-Bahrani, said: “BAT Nigeria’s sustainability agenda is integral to our evolved group strategy and reflects our commitment to the principal focus area of reducing the health impact of our business.
“This is underpinned by excellence across our other environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities. We are committed to reducing our climate impact, taking care of biodiversity, and rethinking our means of consumption.
“The investment we are making in renewable solar energy in Nigeria aligns with our commitment captured aptly in our purpose to build a better tomorrow and is in line with our ESG target of being carbon neutral in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030.”
Al-Bahrani hinted further that already, the company has recorded an impressive 23.7% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions, when compared with the 2017 baseline, among a number of other achievements.
These include 100% recycling of waste generated at BAT Ibadan factory with zero waste evacuated to landfill, 26.2% reduction in water drawn and 4% water recycled as well as the ISO140012015 environmental certification of the Ibadan factory, among others.
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