AkzoNobel has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with leading Nordic solar developer and independent power producer Alight, which revolves around the construction of a 15 MWp solar park in Sweden.

Alight will finance, construct, own and operate the facility, which will be located in the Uppsala municipality. AkzoNobel will contract a portion of the clean electricity generated at a stable, low price to power its adhesives site in Kristinehamn and protective coatings plant in Gothenburg.

“Partnering with Alight, a trusted and experienced solar developer, is an important step in our journey to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030,” said Wijnand Bruinsma, AkzoNobel’s Director of Sustainability.

“We already operate on 100% renewable electricity at all our manufacturing locations in Europe¹ and teaming up with Alight will secure a supply of clean, reliable energy for most of our operations in Sweden. It will also add renewable energy capacity to the Swedish grid, contributing to the nation’s clean energy transition.”

When the solar park is operational in 2027, it’s projected to produce 16 GWh annually, equivalent to the electricity needs of approximately 3,200 households². As well as generating more momentum for AkzoNobel’s ambition to halve its carbon footprint by 2030, the agreement also aligns with Alight’s mission to kick carbon off the grid. 

“We’re extremely proud to work with AkzoNobel, one of the world’s most sustainable paints and coatings companies,” adds Johan Hernström, Head of PPAs at Alight. “We applaud them for taking bold steps to contribute to the energy transition.”

Alongside the new agreement – AkzoNobel’s first PPA in Sweden – the company is working on an offsite opportunity for its Malmö site, which is in a different energy zone. There are also plans for a PPA in Germany.