PepsiCo Canada will achieve 100% renewable electricity target in 2023

PepsiCo Canada announced that it will achieve its 100% renewable electricity target in 2023. 

Part of the company’s commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2040, PepsiCo will secure more than 160,000 megawatt-hours of electricity from Canadian renewable-energy sources annually.

“We’re incredibly proud to share that we’re on track to achieve our goal of sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity,” said Chris Johnson, national engineering and sustainability senior manager for PepsiCo Canada. “This is just another step forward in our journey to build a more sustainable food system and ultimately, building a more circular economy in Canada with renewable electricity generated right in our own backyard.”

Part of PepsiCo’s pep+ agenda, which focuses on sustainability, equity and governance, PepsiCo set a plan to reach net-zero emissions by 2040. It’s shift to renewable energy in Canada will help the company reach that global mission.

PepsiCo Canada produces some of Canadians’ favourite snacks and beverages like Lays, Doritos, Miss Vickies as well as bubly and Gatorade.

In order to reach its target, the company has signed a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement with a subsidiary of TransAlta. The company will acquire power from a new wind farm in Alberta, and purchase Canadian Green-e certified renewable energy certificates from other Canadian wind sources. 

TransAlta is one of Canada’s largest producers of wind power and Alberta’s largest producer of hydroelectric power. The 12-year partnership between PepsiCo and TransAlta includes a 14,000-acre plot of land near Hanna, Alta., where the Garden Plain Wind Project is expected to produce 130 megawatts of wind power per year. 

PepsiCo has also made strides toward its sustainability journey through its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policies as well as its recent opening of an industry-leading research centre, the R&D Greenhouse Leaner Center, which will help the company reach its goal to have 100% of its packaging be completely recyclable, compostable, biodegradable or reusable.