April 25 (SeeNews) - U.S. snacks and beverages giant PepsiCo said on Thursday that it has invested $2.1 million (1.96 million euro) in installing 3,000 photovoltaic (PV) panels with a total capacity of 1,700 kWp at three of its sites in Romania.
The initiative is the company's latest green energy project and aligns with PepsiCo's goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, it said in a press release.
The panels, installed at PepsiCo's business sites in Dragomiresti, Popesti-Leordeni and Covasna, are projected to generate more than 1,300 MWh of green electricity annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 500 tonnes, equivalent to planting over 15,000 trees, the company said.
"In addition to driving net-zero productivity, investing in photovoltaic panels also brings economic advantages. Our own electricity production allows us to reduce costs compared to purchasing from the grid," said Daniel Dragușin, East Balkans Supply Chain Director at PepsiCo.
Last year, PepsiCo invested some $13 million in an automated production line at its soft drink factory in Dragomiresti, which eliminated the need for around 30 tonnes of plastic materials per year.
PepsiCo has invested more than $320 million in Romania over the last decade.
($=0.932395 euro)