Graphic Packaging, Zelestra to Add Renewable Electricity to European Grid

Graphic Packaging International announced it has entered into a virtual Power Purchase Agreement (vPPA) in Europe with Zelestra, a client-focused, multi-technology, global renewable energy company.

The vPPA supports Zelestra in adding renewable electricity to the European power grid and advances Graphic Packaging’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by receiving renewable energy attribute certificates generated by the project.

The renewable electricity generated by two of Zelestra’s solar projects to be built in Spain – José Cabrera and Socovos II – will have a combined total capacity of 83 megawatts (MWdc). Graphic Packaging expects to receive renewable energy attribute certificates corresponding to approximately 86 percent of the solar projects’ output.

The agreement is a strategic component in achieving Graphic Packaging’s science-based target to reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 50.4 percent by 2032. It will increase the company’s purchased renewable electricity in Europe to approximately 70 percent.

“This agreement is a testament to Graphic Packaging’s commitment to environmental leadership and represents our largest decarbonization lever in Europe,” said Joe Yost, EVP and president, international, at Graphic Packaging. “The long-term contract will create new green electricity capacity in Europe, supporting both our own and our customers’ commitments to reducing GHG emissions.”