Under the MoU, SP has been commissioned by SABECO to install and operate the rooftop solar panels at the Cu Chi (expansion), Lam Dong, Ha Tinh, Ha Noi, Tay Do, Vinh Long, Nguyen Chi Thanh, Bac Lieu, and Quang Ngai breweries. The installation is scheduled to be completed soon, and the system is expected to go into full operation by the end of Q3 this year.

The first phase kick-started in 2020, when SABECO invested more than $4.7 million into rooftop solar power systems with a maximum output of 9MWp at the Cu Chi, Dak Lak, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, Song Lam, Khanh Hoa, Can Tho, Soc Trang, and Ben Tre breweries.

This move will bring the total number to 17 breweries adopting solar energy in SABECO’s system.

The whole system is estimated to provide almost 23 per cent of the electricity consumption at the breweries, amounting to a 25 million kilowatt-hour saving of electricity, which is equivalent to a reduction of 18,000 tonnes of emitted CO₂ annually. This will contribute to the company’s target to achieve net-zero emission by 2050.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bennett Neo, general director of SABECO, emphasised that SABECO continuously seeks to implement initiatives and solutions that support the sustainable operation of the company. Over the past few years, it has already embarked on various environmental, social, and governance initiatives through its 4C corporate social responsibility pillars – consumption, conservation, culture, and country.

“To accelerate the adoption of sustainable operations in our breweries, since 2020, we have implemented the Best Brewery Awards to encourage our breweries to embed a sustainability mindset which is consistent with SABECO’s vision and our commitment to the National Green Growth objectives for the 2021-2030 period,” he added

Brandon Chia, managing director of Sustainable Energy Solutions for Southeast Asia and Australia at SP Group said, “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to facilitating the clean energy transition of our customers by advancing the adoption of renewable energy sources for manufacturing facilities. By leveraging our comprehensive range of sustainable energy solutions, we look forward to supporting SABECO with their energy efficiency goals and co-creating a more sustainable future for Vietnam.”

To maximise the solar energy generated and consumed at SABECO’s breweries, both SP and SABECO will study the feasibility of incorporating energy storage systems (ESS) at selected breweries. The incorporation of ESS will allow SABECO to manage the issue of supply intermittency, as solar power can fluctuate due to weather conditions.

Apart from energy usage, SABECO has implemented various other initiatives to mitigate its environmental impact. These include driving continuous improvements in water usage, where it has reduced the amount used per litre of beer produced from 5 litres in 2018 to below 3 litres in 2022.

In addition, the company has embarked on plant-based biomass fuel usage – produced from rice husks, sawdust, cashew shells, and leaves – instead of using fossil fuels to power its boilers, applied the CIP wastewater treatment system, used sustainable packaging by down gauging its cans and light weighting its cardboard boxes and bottles, and reused beer glasses and bottles.

SABECO also promotes other sustainability initiatives which focus on the local communities where it operates. One recent drive, the Light up the Rural project, which is part of the 3-year strategic partnership between SABECO and the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, has constructed 34km of street lighting that uses solar power in 34 rural areas across the country.

This initiative aims to improve local socioeconomic infrastructure by promoting renewable energy and bringing a sustainable and safe environment to more than 210,000 beneficiary households. The project will be expanded in 2023 with more than 39km of solar street lights expected to be installed.

SABECO’s national system consists of 26 breweries, 11 member trading companies, and a network of hundreds of thousands of sales points across the country. The company takes pride in its portfolio of beer brands that are beloved by the people of Vietnam, including Bia Lac Viet, Bia Saigon Chill, Bia 333, Bia Saigon Special, Bia Saigon Export, Bia Saigon Lager, and Bia Saigon Gold.