El Jadida has become home to the latest Nestlé solar plant, with the installation of nearly 2,600 photovoltaic (PV) panels on a 7,000 m2 annex to the company’s local milk and coffee products factory. It will generate 1.7 GWh of electricity per year, eliminate more than one million kilograms of CO2 annually, and help the Swiss multinational meet global commitments to halve its emissions by 2030 and achieve a net zero goal by 2050.
Nestlé’s third in the Middle East and North Africa, with other factories in Dubai and Jordan also housing solar installations, the plant was built with a close to MAD 12 million ($1.3 million) investment in collaboration with renewable energy leader Qair.
It was inaugurated in the presence of Morocco’s Minister of Energy, Mines and Environment Aziz Rabbah; El Jadida Province Governor Mohammed El Guerrouj; H.E. Swiss Ambassador to Morocco Guillaume Scheurer; Nestlé Chairman & CEO in the Middle East and North Africa Rémy Ejel; and Nestlé Maroc General Business Manager Imane Zaoui.
“Nestlé’s solar plant in El Jadida contributes to the realization of the national energy strategy that aims to generate over 52% of the Kingdom’s electricity from renewable sources by 2030, and which emphasizes the importance of clean and sustainable production in the industrial sector,” said Rabbah. “We strongly encourage private sector participation in meeting these national sustainability goals; and invite more entities to help create a healthier environment for us all.”
“We thank local authorities in Morocco for all their support, without which building this solar plant would not have been possible,” said Ejel. “We are committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity in our operations across the world by 2025 as part of how we are addressing CO2 emissions and acting on climate change.”
Opened in 1992, the factory manufactures loved brands Nido and Nescafé, including fortified full cream milk powder, growing up milk, and coffee under the highest safety and quality standards, recognized with leading international certifications.
It is also certified for environmental management and has achieved zero waste to landfill. Other climate actions include implementing a fuel conversion to liquified petroleum gas initiative which will reduce CO2 emissions by over 3.7 million kilograms per year.
Nestlé supports the Moroccan government’s agricultural strategy “Generation Green 2020-2030” which promotes sustainable agriculture and supports local farmers.
The El Jadida factory purchases more than 60,000 tons of raw milk per year directly from more than 6,000 small farms of various sizes – ranging from two-cow to more than 400-cow farms in the Doukkala region.
The “Model Village” milk collection program helps farmers and future generations of farmers enhance safety, quality, quantity, sustainable breeding practices, water conservation, and general environmental management through technical and competencies training.
As a signatory of the UN 'Business Ambition for 1.5°C' pledge, Nestlé is one of the first companies to have shared its detailed plan, redoubling its efforts to combat climate change.
For more information, please contact:
Layal Dalal, Nestlé Media Relations Manager, Middle East and North Africa
Email: [email protected]
About Nestlé in Morocco
Nestlé’s heritage in Morocco goes back to 1927, when the first import operations began in the Kingdom. The company today employs more than 320 people at its office and food factory in the country, all working to bring to life its purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Nestlé has invested more than MAD 420 million ($46.8 million) in Morocco since 2010, provides indirect employment to 7,500 more people, and works with more than 70 partner entities to distribute its products across 85,000 retail outlets, grocery shops, pharmacies, and the food service industry.
The Nestlé portfolio in Morocco encompasses innovative products in a wide range of categories, with key brands including Nescafé, Nesquik, Chocapic, Cheerios, Gold Corn Flakes, Fitness, NAN, Nido, Nativa, and PreNan.
The El Jadida food and beverage factory opened in 1992, manufactures loved brands Nido and Nescafé, and is home to the city’s first solar plant which generates 1.7 GWh of electricity per year from a 7,000 m2 plot housing nearly 2,600 photovoltaic (PV) panels.
Nestlé sources more than 60,000 tons of raw milk per year directly from more than 6,000 small farms of various sizes in the Doukkala region. The “Model Village” milk collection farmer program helps farmers and future generations of farmers enhance safety, quality, quantity, breeding practices, water conservation, and environmental practices through technical and competencies training.
Nestlé has also established collaborations with local governments, NGOs, authorities, and the private sector, with which it aims to Create Shared Value in areas including nutrition and general health, rural development, local sourcing, environmental sustainability, education, and youth career development.
About Nestlé Middle East and North Africa (MENA)
Nestlé’s heritage in the Middle East and North Africa goes back over 100 years with the sale of the first Infant Cereals in Egypt. Today, Nestlé operates 25 Food & Beverage factories across the 19 countries of the MENA region, and provides direct employment to more than 15,000 people who are all committed to Nestlé’s purpose of unlocking the power of food to enhance the quality of life for everyone, today and for generations to come. Nestlé MENA also provides indirect employment across the region to several thousand more.
The Nestlé portfolio in the region currently exceeds 60 innovative product brands in a wide range of categories: Dairy, Infant Nutrition, Coffee and Creamers, Confectionery, Bottled Water, Breakfast Cereals, Culinary products, Health Science, and Pet Care, among others. Nestlé NIDO, Nestlé CERELAC, Nestlé NAN, S-26, PROGRESS, NESCAFÉ, NESPRESSO, Bonjorno Café, Coffee-mate, KitKat, MAGGI, Nestlé FITNESS, Nestlé Grain d’Or, Nestlé Pure Life, OPTIFAST, and PURINA Friskies are just some of the brands available in the Middle East and North Africa.
To know more, you can visit:
Website: www.nestle-mena.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NestleMiddleeastNorthafrica
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nestleme
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NestléMENA