Production of alcohol around the world is big business and
in recent years many major beverage manufacturers have been grappling with the
challenge of making their heavy production businesses more sustainable by
utilising renewable energy to offset their emissions.
Global beverage maker and producer Diageo (who makes Guinness,
Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan’s and many others) announced last
month that its new 72,000 square-foot Kentucky, USA whiskey distillery, which
will distill Bulleit Bourbon, is expected to be carbon neutral. That will make
the facility one of the largest distilleries in North America to do so, and a
first for Diageo. The site will be powered by 100% renewable electricity, with
a capacity to produce up to 10 million proof gallons per year,
In a
recent statement, Diageo detailed that they’d be able to guarantee a carbon
neutral site by sourcing a mix of wind and solar energy, using electrode
boilers that employ 100% renewable electricity, and capturing solar power on
site for external lighting in addition to zero waste to landfill and highly-efficient
water usage design. These measures will contribute to ensuring that no fossil
fuels will be consumed in production at the Kentucky facility.
The company states that the distillery, which is expected to
be operational by 2021, will help avoid more than 117,000 metric tonnes
annually of direct and indirect carbon emissions – equivalent to taking more
than 25,000 cars off the road for a year.
Here in Australia, beer giant Lion announced in May of this
year that they had become Australia’s
first large-scale carbon neutral brewer. They achieved this by complementing
their carbon reduction program with the acquisition of certified carbon credits,
and Lion has now offset its remaining organisational carbon footprint across
its Australian beer business.
Asahi and Carlton United Breweries, who along
with Lion own the vast majority of beer brands in Australia, are also committed
to 100% renewable electricity.
For all the latest news, insights and analysis from the
Australian energy industry subscribe to our fortnightly
newsletter and download the new Energy Live app on Apple and Android.
*As the system and market operator, we are fuel and
technology neutral. The products, services and providers in this content are
for illustrative purposes only and are not endorsed by AEMO.