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Solar power is here!
B.I.G. is on a path to zero environmental footprint by 2030. That’s right, zero. To make this journey more tangible, we’d like to offer you a passenger’s seat from which you get immersed in our diverse sustainability projects. Every two weeks, we’ll share a new project. In this edition: 6 Belgian B.I.G. sites are equipped with 23,790 solar panels.
In the face of climate change, even more organizations are turning to renewable energy sources to make their operations more sustainable. For an energy-intensive group like B.I.G., switching our energy mix is no small feat, but it’s the only way forward. Not only can we reduce our impact on the environment, we can also become less dependent on external energy supplies and lower our overall energy costs. Everyone expects change – our employees, customers, and society as a whole – so why wait?
100% commitment – literally
“By 2030, we want to reach the mark of 100% renewable energy in our operations”, says Sustainability Project Manager Femke Faelens. “To achieve this, we need to move steadily away from fossil fuels and towards renewables such as solar and wind energy. And we must get all sites on board.”
Saving 1,183 tons of CO2 each year
“Today our efforts are focused on solar power. After a successful pilot project in Kruisem, we selected five more locations for similar projects: Oostrozebeke, Wielsbeke, Menen and the two sites in Comines. By doing so, we’re already able to use solar energy to manufacture a wide range of products: artificial grass, needle felt, fibers, technical textiles, yarns, laminates, luxury vinyl tile (LVT), and cushion vinyl.”
“Together, these sites are equipped with 23,790 solar panels. About 7% of the energy used there comes from the panels, amounting to a total of 8,597 MWh – equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 2,605 families. Furthermore, we are saving 1,183 tons of CO2 a year.”
Similar projects on the horizon
“Our solar panel activities in Belgium were not a one-off. Although further plans are not yet official, it’s almost certain that we will install solar panels in our other plants. We will continue to explore new opportunities to put renewable energy at the heart of our sustainability roadmap and invest in green, clean production processes across all product groups.”