Holcim will produce cement from solar energy

This Holcim release was published using machine translation.

Modernity and sustainability, two terms that come together in the strategic decision with which Holcim El Salvador closes 2021: the use of solar energy to produce cement at the El Ronco plant, located in Metapán.

Thanks to the construction of a photovoltaic park made up of 39,200 solar panels in a space of 14.3 hectares within the plant's facilities, the company will have 17 MWp of clean energy, equivalent to 21% of the total required in the plant. productive process.

“We are taking various actions to reduce our carbon footprint in line with our sustainability strategy. This year we launched our portfolio of ecological products with new formulations and reduction of CO2 emissions, both in cements with ECO Labels and in our ECOPact ready-mix concrete, with which we are promoting that sustainable construction in El Salvador is a reality ", said Rodrigo Gallardo, CEO of Holcim El Salvador.

Adopting the use of renewable energy in our production processes brings us one step closer to our goal of being a carbon neutral company. - Rodrigo Gallardo CEO of Holcim

In 2023, the production of cement with solar energy will be a reality, which will allow it to stop consuming 43 thousand barrels of fuel oil annually, which is equivalent to 1.7 million gallons of fuel.

To make this possible, the company signed a solar energy consumption agreement (PPA) with the company AES, which won the tender promoted by Holcim to install and subsequently operate the photovoltaic park for 15 consecutive years.

"With the signing of this supply contract together with the Holcim company, we are, precisely, asserting our commitment to provide our clients and strategic partners with innovative solutions for their transition towards a safer and more sustainable energy future," said Abraham Bichara, Executive President of AES El Salvador.

Globally, for the year 2050 the Holcim Group has as a goal that 90% of the energy used in its operation comes from renewable sources.

At the beginning of 2021, Holcim announced an investment of $ 20 million dollars to increase its production capacity and thus meet the high national and international demand for cement and clinker, which strengthens and modernizes the processes inside the El Ronco plant.

Driving greener construction

The adoption of renewable energy in its production process is one of many actions that Holcim is developing to promote sustainable construction in the country. In recent months the company introduced construction solutions such as cements and concretes with CO2 reduction to the market, has developed spaces for dialogue and exchange of experiences on sustainable construction and continuously implements good environmental practices in its operations such as water recycling, generation of energy through the co-processing of waste and implementation of new technologies that give way to a more efficient and sustainable production.