Colombian electric utility Celsia has launched a 19.9-MW solar farm in Puerto Tejada, southwestern Colombia completing the project for a local hygiene and personal care product manufacturer.
Celsia and Cubico Partner on Colombian Solar Initiative
Celsia developed this infrastructure through an investment platform aimed at building photovoltaic projects over 8 MW in Colombia in collaboration with Cubico Sustainable Investments. The project created 295 jobs during its construction.
Celsia’s 19.9 MW solar farm, developed with Cubico, supplies 43.8% of Grupo Familia's energy needs, preventing 1,400 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
The system which consists of 49,350 photovoltaic modules with a capacity of 19.9 MW will supply 43.8% of the energy needs of the Grupo Familia plant, an Essity company with solar power. This will prevent the emission of over 1,400 tons of CO2 annually equivalent to the amount absorbed by a pine forest covering more than 140 hectares—roughly the size of 200 soccer fields.
“We are very proud to be able to inaugurate our first solar farm in the country, which undoubtedly represents a milestone for us and demonstrates our interest in building more sustainable and circular societies. This commitment to solar energy is in line with our sustainability strategy and commitment to reduce environmental impact, protect biodiversity and achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This is done through energy efficiency, the elimination of fossil fuels and the increase in renewable energy, so we will continue to look for alternatives that have a positive multiplier effect on the planet,” said Diego Loaiza, CEO of Grupo Familia.
Making Strides Towards Net-Zero Emissions Goal
The company has made notable progress toward its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and its Science-Based Targets of reducing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 35% by 2030. From 2016 to 2023, it achieved a 26% reduction in these emissions. This achievement is due to technological renewal and the reduction in fossil fuel consumption in line with the plans established for the local market.
Due to these advancements, Essity has been recognized by Corporate Knights as one of the most sustainable companies globally, earning a spot on the Global 100 list and ranking in the top 1% for sustainability performance worldwide. This solar farm greatly enhances the environmental performance of the operation.
Celsia's Solar Farm to Feed Excess Energy into Grid
The farm covers 39.5 hectares and is built to operate for 30 years, ensuring a lasting positive environmental impact while boosting the company's competitiveness. Any surplus energy not consumed by the plant will be fed into the National Interconnected System, benefiting the wider community.
“With the involvement of Grupo Familia in this initiative, we continue to strengthen our capacity to be agents of change to transform and build a better country. In a context in which there is still talk of energy transition and the need to produce more and more sustainable energy, these types of efforts contribute to the generation of national progress and development, and to the competitiveness of allied companies, which translates into greater efficiencies and a smaller carbon footprint,” said Luis Felipe Vélez, commercial leader of Celsia.
Currently, the personal hygiene plant in Cauca employs 580 people and manufactures more than 320 product references which are distributed in the interior of the country and other markets such as Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Argentina and Brazil.