GEA’s solar journey: powering a sustainable future

July 29, 2024

Hand over solar panel

Solar panels are becoming a common sight in our communities and surrounding landscapes, but how does a global engineering company like GEA harness this technology? Join a tour of GEA’s solar initiatives, from Germany to India, exploring how the company uses the power of the sun to drive manufacturing processes and meet ambitious climate goals.

 

In 2021, GEA set a bold target: to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2040. This commitment, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), puts the global company and engineering powerhouse at the forefront of industrial climate action.

A goal this big needs a robust plan. That's why the company developed its comprehensive Climate Transition Plan 2040. Overwhelmingly approved by GEA’s shareholders in a landmark “Say on Climate” vote, this roadmap includes short- and medium-term climate targets that help track progress towards the 2040 goal. The plan also outlines in detail how the company is transforming its operations, supply chain and product portfolio to meet its climate ambitions.

Decarbonizing operations with a comprehensive approach

A global industrial technology provider, GEA is taking a strategic and comprehensive approach to decarbonizing its own facilities. One of the first priorities is phasing out fossil fuels at sites and increasing the use of renewable energy. Since 2022, the company has been using 100 percent green electricity worldwide. And by 2030, it aims to bring the share of self-generated renewable electricity to 25 percent of total electricity consumption. To this end, the company has been steadily expanding the number of photovoltaic systems at its facilities.

GEA Climate Plan 2040

GEA's Climate Transition Plan 2040 is a comprehensive roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 and approved by the company’s shareholders.

We are investing 175 million euros to decarbonize our sites by 2040. While this is just one part of our overall climate strategy, it's crucial that we lead by example in areas where we have direct control.

Dr. Nadine Sterley

Chief Sustainability Officer, GEA

Harnessing solar power for sustainable production

Solar energy has seen remarkable growth in recent years and is an increasingly important part of the global energy mix. Costs have fallen dramatically, making solar power competitive with fossil fuels in many regions. The solar industry's expansion is significant: global solar capacity has been increasing rapidly, with new installations expected to reach up to 655 GW in 2024, which would more than double the 252 GW installed in 2022, according to data provider BloombergNEF. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that investment in solar power now surpasses all other electricity generation technologies combined, with investment projected to grow to $500 billion in 2024. That level would nearly match upstream oil and gas investments. This growth trajectory is set to continue. Experts at the IEA predict that solar power could surpass the world’s nuclear electricity generation already in 2026.

It is no surprise, therefore, that GEA is actively integrating this sustainable energy source into its operations. Join us on a world tour of selected sites to see the photovoltaic (PV) installations that are powering cleaner production and moving GEA closer to its 2040 net-zero goal:
Scaling up: from rooftops to solar parks

In addition to on-site installations, GEA is also investing in larger projects. In Hachen, Germany, a major solar park is under development that will enable the company to generate up to 18 percent of its electricity requirements in the country. This project covers seven hectares and will feature 18,000 solar panels when completed. That is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 2,000 four-person households in Germany. With the Hachen project, GEA joins a group of companies in Germany making power purchase agreements (PPAs) with PPA developers. In this set up, the energy provider will channel most of the green energy produced to some of GEA’s own sites while the remaining energy generated by the solar park will go back into the general electricity grid in Germany. Thus, GEA makes a significant investment in future solar power and takes another important step towards its renewable energy goals. 

GEA takes a holistic view of sustainability

GEA's growing solar network spans the globe and has already made a significant contribution to reducing emissions. But the company's efforts don't stop there. The technology leader is also improving energy efficiency, converting heat supply to renewable sources and working to transition its entire global vehicle fleet to electric power.

Dr. Nadine Sterley, GEA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasizes the importance of these initiatives: “We are investing 175 million euros to decarbonize our sites by 2040. While this is just one part of our overall climate strategy, it's crucial that we lead by example in areas where we have direct control. Our solar projects and other on-site measures demonstrate our commitment and inspire innovation throughout our organization.”

At the same time, GEA recognizes that the largest portion of its carbon footprint comes from Scope 3 emissions – those associated with the use of its products at customer sites. Sterley acknowledges this broader challenge: “Our efforts to reduce operational emissions are a vital first step, but we are under no illusion that they alone will get us to net zero. As we make progress on our own sites, we are simultaneously developing solutions to address the complex challenge of emissions across our entire value chain.”

Each step taken – from installing solar panels to innovating core products and services – brings the company closer to a more sustainable future. It's a challenging journey, but one that is in line with GEA's purpose of “Engineering for a better world.”
GEA Climate Transition Plan 2040

Climate action

GEA’s comprehensive path to net zero

GEA aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2040. By 2030, the company plans to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 80 percent and Scope 3 emissions by 27.5 percent. And by 2026, a 60 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions is planned. GEA’s climate strategy goes beyond solar power, encompassing a broad range of measures and initiatives:

  • GEA “Add Better” label for resource-efficient products
  • Supply chain decarbonization 
  • 100% green electricity usage since 2022
  • Electrification of global vehicle fleet
  • Energy efficiency improvements across operations
  • On-site renewable energy generation
  • Climate-related executive compensation to drive accountability 

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