Kimberly Clark Corp, an US personal care company, has announced a collaboration with energy assets developer and operator Energy Partners (EP) to construct a rooftop solar site for its manufacturing facility in Epping, South Africa.
Under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) between the two entities, the project aims to establish one of the largest rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the City of Cape Town. With a capacity of 2.2 MW, the installation is set to power the local manufacturing operations of Kimberly Clark's renowned brands, including Huggies and Kotex.
The solar site is projected to generate approximately 3,478 MWh of clean electricity annually, resulting in the avoidance of over 3,130 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
Steven Hayes, General Manager of Kimberly Clark Sub-Saharan Africa, expressed the company's commitment to environmental sustainability, emphasizing the project's role in advancing its ambitious emissions reduction targets. “We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint, and this project will contribute towards helping us meet our 2030 goal to reduce total emissions by 50% compared to 2015 globally,” stated Hayes.
Energy Partners, based in Cape Town, specializes in developing, investing, and operating utility assets across various sectors, including power, refrigeration, steam, intelligence, and engineering. Established in 2009, the company is affiliated with the PSG group of companies, showcasing its dedication to delivering innovative energy solutions.
The partnership between Kimberly Clark and Energy Partners exemplifies a shared commitment to sustainability and underscores the importance of collaboration in driving renewable energy adoption and mitigating climate change impacts. Through initiatives like this rooftop solar project, both companies are poised to make significant strides towards a cleaner, more sustainable future in South Africa and beyond.
