ZEISS, a global leader in the optical and optoelectronic industry, has joined forces with Statkraft to secure a supply of 800 GWh of green electricity over the next eleven years. This partnership, facilitated by several Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), underscores ZEISS's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and sustainability goals.
The collaboration commenced in 2021, with ZEISS sourcing green electricity from established onshore wind farms within Statkraft's portfolio. These wind farms, supported by the PPAs, will continue to operate, ensuring a steady supply of renewable energy. Looking ahead to 2025, ZEISS will transition to receiving wind power from two new onshore wind farms located in Lower Saxony, aligning with the company's emphasis on regional sustainability. Additionally, to bolster this commitment to regionality, Statkraft is supplementing the green energy package with a ten-year solar PPA. The Schornhof solar park, Bavaria's largest, has been supplying green electricity since July 2023, contributing to ZEISS's green energy goals.
Andreas Hack, Managing Director of Carl Zeiss Energie GmbH, expressed the company's dedication to sourcing electricity from regional renewable sources, stating, “We want to cover the growing demand for electricity at our German sites preferably from regional renewable energy sources. With the Schornhof solar park around 80 kilometers east of our corporate headquarters in Oberkochen, the PPA contributes to this.”
Patrick Koch, Head of Statkraft's German Origination, highlighted the significance of supporting ZEISS on its journey to climate neutrality. He emphasized the diversified approach, saying, “ZEISS thus preserves existing values, supports the regional expansion of renewables, and at the same time robustly hedges against fluctuating electricity prices by mixing wind and solar PPAs.”
Statkraft's commitment to providing tailored green electricity solutions aligns with the evolving needs of industrial companies in Germany, aiding them in reducing CO2 emissions and achieving their climate targets.
ZEISS's focus on reducing relative energy consumption and transitioning to renewable energy sources has been evident since fiscal year 2019/20 when all German ZEISS locations were already supplied with green electricity. The company expanded its green energy procurement efforts globally in fiscal year 2020/21.
Hack also noted, “Wherever technically possible, we build photovoltaic systems on the roofs of our own buildings. In order to be able to fully cover our energy needs throughout Germany, we buy green electricity with a guarantee of origin. Such power purchase agreements or direct supply electricity contracts with Statkraft, among others, are used for this purpose. We are pleased to have signed with Statkraft as a partner, with whom we have been working for several years.”
ZEISS, renowned for its contributions to the optical and optoelectronic industry, operates in four key divisions: Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets. As of September 30, 2022, the ZEISS Group reported annual sales of 8.8 billion euros. With a global presence spanning nearly 50 countries, over 40,000 employees, 30 production sites, 60 sales and service locations, and 27 research and development sites (as of March 31, 2023), ZEISS continues to advance its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Founded in Jena in 1846, the company is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany, and is under the ownership of the Carl Zeiss Foundation, one of Germany's prominent science-focused foundations.
