U.S.-based Kraft Heinz is taking a significant step towards sustainability by partnering with Carlton Power, a U.K. energy infrastructure company. The joint objective is to develop a green hydrogen plant at the Kitt Green canning and canning manufacturing facility in Wigan.
The Kitt Green plant, one of Europe’s largest food processing plants, produces a quarter of a million tons of food annually and employs approximately 850 people. The proposed hydrogen plant, with a capacity of 20 MW, will cover more than 50% of the plant’s annual natural gas demand and reduce its carbon emissions by 16,000 tons per year.
Hydrogen production will be carried out by means of an electrolyzer, using electricity generated from renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar energy. This project will not only contribute to emissions reductions, but will also drive Kraft Heinz’s efforts towards its global goal of zero net emissions by 2050, with a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030.
Eric Adams, director of Hydrogen Projects at Carlton Power, said: “We are delighted to be working with Kraft Heinz to progress the creation of a green hydrogen facility at Kitt Green, helping the company to decarbonize its operations. It is vital that projects such as this support UK businesses, especially in the manufacturing sector, to reduce their carbon emissions and reach the goal of net zero emissions.”
Jojo Lins De Noronha, president of Kraft Heinz for Northern Europe, said: “Our agreement with Carlton Power is an important step in our efforts to reduce carbon emissions and reach our global goal of zero net emissions by 2050. This project will enable us to move towards a more sustainable and responsible future.”
