Glass packaging company O-I inaugurates new photovoltaic plant in France

The company has set ambitious goals for reducing its energy usage and CO2 emissions, increasing the proportion of cullet (recycled glass) used in its production of new glass, and reducing workplace accidents to zero. 

The group has chosen Aérowatt as the provider of photovoltaic panels at its plants. Since last autumn, 10,085 m2 of modules have been installed at Béziers, covering four warehouses, representing a global capacity of 1381.5 kWp to produce green energy and supply the EDF electrical network.

Aérowatt is a major player in green energy production both in France and abroad. The company currently operates 25 wind farms and 28 photovoltaic plants, giving a cumulative total of over 120 MW.

"With the 4th European Solar Days being held this week, we are happy - as an industrial player - to be able to present the results of a successful collaboration that combines our knowledge of green energy and the sustainability program of O-I - an international industrial leader that’s contributing to France’s renewable energy targets", says Jerome Billerey, CEO of Aérowatt.

Already ISO 14001 certified and classified ICPE (Installations Classified for the Protection of the Environment), the Béziers site is one of the best in the world in this field. It is a model of OI’s sustainability strategy: using investment to reduce environmental impact. "The O-I sustainable development plan is bold," explains Yvan Agniel, Director of Energy, Environment and Industrial Risk, O-I Europe. "The group wants to reduce its carbon footprint by 65% by 2017, decrease its overall energy consumption by 50% and increase the proportion of recycled glass to 60% globally."

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