Bayer AG has entered into a long-term agreement with Wuppertaler Stadtwerke (WSW), the public utility company of Wuppertal in North Rhein-Westphalia, Germany, to procure electricity from renewable sources. This partnership underscores Bayer’s global dedication to sustainability.
The contract entails WSW supplying over 120 GWh of wind and/or solar energy from German facilities to Bayer. This amount equates to the yearly power consumption of approximately 30,000 households. With this deal, Bayer’s facilities in Darmstadt, Weimar, Bitterfeld, Bergkamen, Berlin, and Wuppertal will derive 100 percent of their purchased electricity from renewable sources. The arrangement will operate under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), ensuring a steady provision of renewable electricity while encouraging investment in new generation facilities.
Matthias Berninger, Head of Public Affairs, Science, Sustainability & HSE at Bayer, highlights the significance of the agreement with Wuppertaler Stadtwerke in advancing Bayer’s sustainability objectives. He notes that alongside a similar agreement in the USA, this partnership reinforces Bayer’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.
Maik Eckelmann, Head of the Elberfeld Supply Centre, expresses satisfaction in expanding the collaboration with WSW, emphasizing its role in fostering sustainable energy supply.
WSW CEO Markus Hilkenbach underscores the importance of partnerships like this in driving the energy transition, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with Bayer. He emphasizes WSW’s commitment to developing sustainable products and contributing to environmental and climate protection.
Aligned with the Paris Climate Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Bayer aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its operations by 2030, with 100 percent of its purchased electricity sourced from renewables by the same year. Bayer’s reduction targets are endorsed by the Science Based Targets initiative, which aids companies in setting emission reduction goals based on scientific evidence. Additionally, Bayer adheres to the rigorous standards for renewable energy set by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Bayer, a global enterprise specializing in life sciences, focuses on healthcare and nutrition, striving to address the challenges posed by a growing and aging population while promoting sustainability. The company aims to drive sustainable development, innovate, and create value while maintaining trust, reliability, and quality. In fiscal 2023, Bayer employed around 100,000 people and recorded sales of 47.6 billion euros, with R&D expenses totaling 5.8 billion euros.
