Mars Australia has signed a 20-year power-purchase agreements (PPA) with Total Eren (a global renewable energy developer) to generate the equivalent of 100% of Mars’ electricity from renewable energy by 2020.

In 2017 Mars committed a billion dollars to delivering their ‘Sustainable in A Generation’ plan.

Total Eren is developing and will build the Kiamal Solar Farm near Ouyen, Victoria which will be operational in mid-2019.

The energy generated by the Kiamal Solar Farm is enough to power;

• 185 million 180g bags of M&Ms Peanut, or
• 29 million 3kg bags of Pedigree, or
• 4 billion bottles of MasterFoods tomato sauce, or
• 5 billion packets of Extra chewing gum.

The Mars PPAs will also facilitate the planned build of a second renewable project by Total Eren in NSW.

Mars has contracted for energy to match the electricity requirements of its six Australian factories (Asquith, Ballarat, Bathurst, Wacol, Wodonga & Wyong) and two sales offices (Melbourne & Sydney).

“Mars is thrilled to be flicking the switch to solar energy,” said Barry O’Sullivan, Mars Australia.

“It’s about making a long-term commitment to a sustainable, greener planet that will benefit our customers, our consumers and the local and global community.”

Australia as a nation currently is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gas per capita in the world, with electricity generation being a major contributor.

Mars, in partnership with Total Eren, will play a role in reducing Australia’s reliance on fossil fuels – the power generated at the Kiamal Solar Farm will be supplied to the national grid, thereby increasing the ratio of renewable energy in the National Energy Market.

Mr O’Sullivan said, “The rise in electricity prices last year accelerated our plans to join Mars sites in the US, UK and 9 other countries in moving to renewable electricity.”

The PPAs are part of a broader Mars journey to become Sustainable in a Generation, with plans to reduce greenhouse gasses across the supply chain by 67% by 2050.

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