“Laima” invests 255,000 euros in the installation of solar panels in the production facility – Loaded

The food producer “Orkla Latvija” has installed solar panels on the roof of the chocolate factory “Laima”, thus providing about 1/4 of the self-consumption of electricity required for production.

By investing 255,000 euros in the renewable energy production project, it is planned to produce 287 MWh of “green” electricity annually, covering 25% of the company’s total consumption. The green energy produced during the year will reduce CO2 emissions by 136 tons, which is equivalent to planting 190 trees.

SIA “Orkla Latvija” previously informed that it buys “green” electricity from the common network for all production plants, but specifically for the “Laimas” production plant – in the amount of 50% of the total consumption. Now, after installing the solar panels, the production plant will use a total of around 75% of renewable electricity, thus saving an average of 400 tons of CO2 per year. This is the next step in the implementation of Orkla Latvija’s Sustainability Strategy, which is aimed at protecting the surrounding environment. The strategy envisages introducing renewable energy in production to 60% of total consumption by 2024, reducing greenhouse gas emissions in own operations by 65% ​​and by 30% in the value chain outside of own operations.

Times are changing and with them the options and solutions in the food industry are also changing. Cocoa beans use the precious natural resources of sun, land and water to grow, and it is the responsibility of African coastal farmers to ensure responsible use of these resources. On the other hand, our task as a chocolate manufacturer is to use valuable natural resources economically so that the chocolates are not only tasty, but also responsibly produced. Therefore, currently 80% of “Laima” products are made from responsibly sourced cocoa, which is confirmed by the green frog symbol of the “Rainforest Alliance” certification on the packages, and now they will also be made from 75% renewable or “green” electricity, which allows us to reduce harmful CO₂ after disposal. Our goal is to reach 100% for both indicators by the end of 2025.

“Orkla Latvija” Innovation and Sustainability Director Dana Smorodska

Since the transfer of production to the new and modern production facilities in Adaži, which are equipped with the most modern energy efficiency solutions, the production of “Laimas” products has managed to reduce CO2 emissions by 50%. However, the work does not stop at this achievement, and therefore solutions were sought to reduce both the consumption of electricity and the resulting emissions through the purchase of “green” electricity and the installation of solar panels in August of this year. At the same time, projects are being implemented to reduce gas and water consumption.