GEA’s solar journey: powering a sustainable future

July 29, 2024

Harnessing solar power for sustainable production

Solar energy has seen remarkable growth in recent years and is an increasingly important part of the global energy mix. Costs have fallen dramatically, making solar power competitive with fossil fuels in many regions. The solar industry's expansion is significant: global solar capacity has been increasing rapidly, with new installations expected to reach up to 655 GW in 2024, which would more than double the 252 GW installed in 2022, according to data provider BloombergNEF. The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that investment in solar power now surpasses all other electricity generation technologies combined, with investment projected to grow to $500 billion in 2024. That level would nearly match upstream oil and gas investments. This growth trajectory is set to continue. Experts at the IEA predict that solar power could surpass the world’s nuclear electricity generation already in 2026.

It is no surprise, therefore, that GEA is actively integrating this sustainable energy source into its operations. Join us on a world tour of selected sites to see the photovoltaic (PV) installations that are powering cleaner production and moving GEA closer to its 2040 net-zero goal:

Scaling up: from rooftops to solar parks

In addition to on-site installations, GEA is also investing in larger projects. In Hachen, Germany, a major solar park is under development that will enable the company to generate up to 18 percent of its electricity requirements in the country. This project covers seven hectares and will feature 18,000 solar panels when completed. That is equivalent to the annual electricity consumption of more than 2,000 four-person households in Germany. With the Hachen project, GEA joins a group of companies in Germany making power purchase agreements (PPAs) with PPA developers. In this set up, the energy provider will channel most of the green energy produced to some of GEA’s own sites while the remaining energy generated by the solar park will go back into the general electricity grid in Germany. Thus, GEA makes a significant investment in future solar power and takes another important step towards its renewable energy goals. 

GEA takes a holistic view of sustainability

GEA's growing solar network spans the globe and has already made a significant contribution to reducing emissions. But the company's efforts don't stop there. The technology leader is also improving energy efficiency, converting heat supply to renewable sources and working to transition its entire global vehicle fleet to electric power.

Dr. Nadine Sterley, GEA’s Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasizes the importance of these initiatives: “We are investing 175 million euros to decarbonize our sites by 2040. While this is just one part of our overall climate strategy, it's crucial that we lead by example in areas where we have direct control. Our solar projects and other on-site measures demonstrate our commitment and inspire innovation throughout our organization.”

At the same time, GEA recognizes that the largest portion of its carbon footprint comes from Scope 3 emissions – those associated with the use of its products at customer sites. Sterley acknowledges this broader challenge: “Our efforts to reduce operational emissions are a vital first step, but we are under no illusion that they alone will get us to net zero. As we make progress on our own sites, we are simultaneously developing solutions to address the complex challenge of emissions across our entire value chain.”

Each step taken – from installing solar panels to innovating core products and services – brings the company closer to a more sustainable future. It's a challenging journey, but one that is in line with GEA's purpose of “Engineering for a better world.”