Gerresheimer has successfully commissioned a photovoltaic system at its Pfreimd site, Germany, following a test phase.
The system, located on the roofs of two production buildings, has an installed capacity of 500 kilowatts peak (kWp) and generates approximately 500,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year. With the new system, Gerresheimer is increasing the share of renewable energy in the site’s energy supply while simultaneously reducing annual CO2e emissions by around 195 metric tonnes.
By 2030, Gerresheimer aims to increase the share of electricity from renewable sources to 100 percent at all production sites worldwide and reduce its scope 1 and scope 2 CO2e emissions by 52 percent compared to the base year 2019.
“Even though the solar power generated on our rooftops covers only a part of our total energy demand, it already makes our energy supply more independent, easier to plan and future-proof, while also contributing to the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels,” said Jochen Dörr, Global Head of Sustainability Management & Energy Technology at Gerresheimer Medical Systems.
Solar power from own roofs
The photovoltaic system installed on the roofs of the production buildings in Pfreimd will generate approximately 500,000 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. This corresponds to the average annual consumption of about 125 single-family homes. The solar power is used entirely on-site to supply the facility with energy, reducing dependence on external power sources and protecting the company from significant price fluctuations in the energy market.
The project was implemented through a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a regional electrical engineering company, Hardy Barth GmbH. Under this model, Hardy Barth GmbH is responsible for financing, construction, operation, and maintenance. Gerresheimer purchases the generated electricity under a long-term contract with fixed terms.
This model requires no initial investment for the company. At the same time, the model provides planning reliability for electricity costs and reduces technological and operational risks. At the end of the contract term, ownership of the photovoltaic system will transfer to Gerresheimer.
Rapid implementation and commissioning
Only around 12 months passed between the initial planning of the rooftop photovoltaic system and its successful commissioning. At its Pfreimd site, Gerresheimer employs around 600 people to manufacture customised drug delivery systems, diagnostic and medical devices. These include, for example, applicators, auto-injectors, inhalers, laboratory disposables, pre-fillable polymer syringes and components for on-body devices.