Šariš Brewery has signed Slovakia’s first Virtual PPA with Enery, securing renewable electricity from a new solar park starting in 2025. This agreement supports the brewery’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
Plzeňský Prazdroj’s Sustainability Strategy
Šariš Brewery is set to make a major transition to renewable energy starting in 2025. In a groundbreaking move, the brewery has signed a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) with Enery — an independent green energy provider based in Austria. This agreement marks the first of its kind in Slovakia and will provide the brewery with renewable electricity from a new solar park in Iliašovce, Eastern Slovakia.
The shift is part of the larger sustainability strategy of Plzeňský Prazdroj, the brewery’s parent company, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. With this virtual PPA, Šariš Brewery will join a growing number of European businesses transitioning to cleaner energy sources.
Enery’s new solar park in Iliašovce will be critical to this transition. The plant will produce green electricity that will meet approximately 92 percent of the brewery’s annual energy needs. This amounts to around 7.2 GWh per year.
According to Martin Grygařík, Sales Director of Plzeňský Prazdroj Slovensko, Šariš Brewery is leading the way in Slovakia by supporting the construction of a local solar plant through this long-term agreement. This renewable energy will power both the brewery and the malthouse in Veľký Šariš.
Virtual PPA: A First in Slovakia
Šariš Brewery’s partnership with Enery is based on a virtual PPA, a unique agreement that enables the brewery to access green energy for a decade. VPPAs are becoming an increasingly popular option for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
According to Ján Horváth, CEO of Enery Slovakia, this type of agreement is the most transparent way to secure renewable energy. The brewery will know exactly who supplies its electricity and when, helping it achieve its sustainability goals.
The virtual PPA offers several benefits beyond supplying clean energy. Ivan Tučník, Sustainability Manager at Plzeňský Prazdroj, noted that this agreement will also contribute to reducing the overall carbon footprint of the Slovakian power grid. Additionally, the deal will enhance the country’s energy self-sufficiency.
The solar park — which will be built on an area of 8.8 hectares — is expected to be operational within six months. It will feature 10,582 photovoltaic (PV) modules with an installed capacity of 6.3 MWp. These panels will supply clean electricity to the Slovakian power grid, and the brewery will draw the equivalent amount of electricity from the grid.
Brewing with Solar Energy by 2025
From 2025 onwards, Šariš Brewery will run on nearly 100 percent green electricity. The new solar park in Iliašovce — along with the brewery’s own solar plant in Veľký Šariš — will meet almost all its energy requirements. Together, these sources will cover 98 percent of the brewery’s electricity consumption, with the remaining 2 percent coming from sources backed by certificates of origin.
Grzegorz Komora, Plant Manager at Šariš Brewery, emphasized that the brewery has already halved its energy consumption over the past decade. Now, the focus is on using renewable energy sources.
By relying on solar energy, the brewery will significantly reduce its carbon footprint. This shift is expected to cut CO2 emissions by 1,386 tonnes annually, lowering the overall carbon impact of production by 18 percent.
The virtual PPA between Šariš Brewery and Enery is a significant step toward Slovakia’s green energy future. As the first agreement of its kind in the country, it not only supports the brewery’s shift to renewable energy, but also contributes to the broader goal of reducing carbon emissions across the Slovak power grid.
