Bega Group reduces emissions with rooftop solar

Australian food and beverage manufacturer Bega Group has partnered with AGL to install a 1.23 MW rooftop solar system at one of its largest manufacturing facilities in Western Sydney, in order to help reduce its reliance on grid electricity and support its target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% before 2030. Delivered under a 15-year power purchase agreement (PPA), the solution provides access to renewable energy without the upfront capital investment in the solar system.

Food and beverage manufacturing is energy intensive, making reliable and efficient energy an important part of day-to-day operations. At Bega Group’s Wetherill Park facility, the business was looking for a practical way to reduce reliance on grid electricity and lower operational emissions while supporting manufacturing operations and progressing towards its sustainability goals.

The scale and complexity of the site also presented delivery challenges. The facility comprises multiple interconnected buildings, with restricted crane access and production continuing throughout the project. This meant materials needed to be safely delivered to several rooftop areas while minimising disruption to operations.

Under the power purchase agreement, AGL owns and operates the system, while Bega Group purchases the electricity it generates at the agreed PPA rate. This enables Bega Group to access renewable energy without making an upfront capital investment in the solar system.

Bega Group says it selected AGL based on AGL’s proposed solution for its Wetherill Park facility and its experience in delivering large-scale commercial solar projects. AGL’s renewable energy and decarbonisation expertise also helped support the successful delivery of the project across a complex operational manufacturing site.

“Working with AGL, because they have such a vast network of clients and a lot of expertise and experience, we’re able to quickly get on top of issues that they would see as common and perhaps that would be new to us,” said Andrew Harris, General Manager, Operations Milk Based Beverages, Bega Group.

The rooftop solar system is estimated to help reduce carbon emissions associated with electricity usage by 9% in its first year of operation, helping Bega Group progress towards its emissions reduction and broader sustainability goals.

AGL said that installing more than 2400 solar panels across several interconnected rooftops required careful planning, flexibility and a strong focus on safety. Restricted crane access and the need to work around a live operational site meant the original rooftop material delivery approach was not suitable.

To keep the project progressing safely and efficiently, the project team established multiple material laydown areas and used elevated work platforms to transport materials to rooftop level. Temporary stairways and access platforms were also installed where existing rooftop access was unsuitable. This coordinated approach enabled the installation to be completed while minimising disruption to site operations.

Image credit: AGL