Heineken sets targets on
reduced energy use
World of Heineken 40 - summer 2009
Heineken aims to reduce energy and water consumption at its
breweries worldwide by 20 per cent by the end of 2011 through its
new Energy Saving Programme. The company also aims to reduce its
C02 emissions significantly in the longer term.
"A very important part of this program consists of influencing people's
mindsets," says Energy Saving Programme Manager Herman van de
Bergh. "The point is to change the way we think about, and therefore
use energy. When I go to breweries, I tell people that energy is
something that can be wasted, much like malt: once malt is wasted,
beer can no longer be made from it. The same is true of energy, so we
shouldn't be wasteful with it."
The Energy Saving Programme started in March 2009, and aims at
reducing energy use at some 125 Heineken breweries worldwide
by 20 per cent by the end of 2011, compared to 2002. Heineken
has been working at reducing energy use for some years, but this
programme aims to double the company's energy-reduction rate over
the next three years.
"We want to sharpen and speed up this process with specific plans
and actions," says Herman. In the short term, the programme aims
to reduce energy use with "the equipment on hand", Herman says.
"We're looking at how we can use the equipment we have more
efficiently."
In the longer term, Heineken aims to achieve greater C02-neutral
production as well. It will do so by looking at new technologies, and
the use of energy supplies that derive from renewable sources.
"In Austria, for example, we already have a brewery which is in the
process of getting its heat delivered from renewable energy sources,"
he says.
The programme is also intended to function as an information-
exchange platform about energy usage. "Some of our Polish
breweries, such as those of Warka and Zywiec, have historically been
very energy efficient. So we got some people from Zywiec to visit the
Den Bosch brewery in the Netherlands in March, to give us advice on
saving even more energy."
Five regional coordinators covering the company's regions - Western
Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, the Americas and
Africa/Middle East - have been appointed to the programme. The
regional coordinators report to the regional supply chain directors,
and review and discuss their energy reduction plans and actions with
the Programme Manager at least once a month.
While everyone in the company is encouraged to think about energy
differently, one person in every brewery will also be appointed
as energy champion, to monitor and report on energy and water
usage. The role includes identifying possible improvements and
initiating, supporting and leading all the actions required for achieving
improvements.
Herman.vandeBergh@heineken.com
Heineken brewery installations in Den Bosch,
the Netherlands
23
