On Wednesday 1 July, Grolsch officially commissioned a new electric boiler. This marks an important step towards making the brewery more sustainable. With this innovation, the brewery is largely switching from natural gas to electricity for the production of steam – an essential part of the brewing process.
With the E-boiler, Grolsch is not only helping to make its own processes more sustainable, but also contributing to a better balance on the electricity grid. By making flexible use of available renewable energy, the brewery is actively helping to reduce grid congestion.
Various steps towards net zero
The commissioning of the e-boiler is part of Grolsch’s ambition to achieve a Net Zero brewery. Significant strides have already been made in this energy transition in recent years. For example, since 2020, the brewery has been running entirely on green electricity generated from wind energy. In 2022, residual heat from Twence and a biogas upgrade plant were implemented.
Large solar roof
In 2024, a large solar roof was commissioned to power, amongst other things, electric logistics, and through a Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA), the brewery is supplied with electricity from solar farms. Thanks to these measures, Grolsch has now reduced its CO₂ emissions by 82 per cent since 2019.
Making smart use of renewable energy
With the new E-boiler, the brewer is taking the next step in further reducing its use of natural gas. The system makes it possible to generate steam using electricity and to store it. This takes place precisely at times when there is a surplus of renewable electricity on the grid.
Impact on further CO₂ reduction
The use of the e-boiler is having a significant impact on the brewery’s remaining CO₂ emissions. It is expected that this step will enable current emissions to be reduced by a further 70 per cent. By continuously investing in innovative and sustainable solutions, the brewery is taking further steps towards future-proof production.
Full value chain
Grolsch is working globally to reduce the climate impact of its operations and value chain. For its own brewing operations and direct energy supply, the group aims to operate at Net Zero by 2030. For the entire value chain, including raw materials, packaging, logistics and distribution, the group is aiming for Net Zero by 2040.
See also: ABN AMRO: Energy transition under pressure due to grid congestion
Source: Grolsch
