Swift and Seara are expanding the use of clean energy with a new solar plant in the hinterland of São Paulo

São Paulo, July 18, 2022 – Swift and Seara, companies of the JBS group in Brazil, are expanding their consumption of clean and renewable energy in their operations. Both brands will purchase part of the energy produced by the Âmbar Saltinho photovoltaic power station (UFV) in the São Paulo hinterland, inaugurated on July 14 this year. The development belongs to Âmbar Energia, an energy solutions company of the J&F group.

UFV Saltinho consists of four plants that together total 9,408 photovoltaic panels. This renewable energy will meet the demand from several clients, including Swift and the integrated producers of Seara. In all, the four plants have a capacity of 5,174 kWp, equal to the energy consumed by 2,800 homes. The system will avoid emissions of 12,193 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere, the same as planting 4,000 new trees a month.

Renewable energy consumption at the operations of Swift and Seara is part of the efforts of JBS to become Net Zero by 2040, in other words, to zero the net balance of its emissions and offset residual emissions. Within this strategy, Swift is aiming to have 100% of its stores running on the renewable source by 2025. 

“In line with the Net Zero 2040 strategy of JBS, Swift has embarked on a series of initiatives in the field of sustainability, like vans with solar panels (that sell brand products in condominiums) and photovoltaic systems on store roofs. At present 65 Swift stores are served by this source. The purchase of energy from UFV Saltinho is yet another step in this strategy for 100% consumption of renewable sources in our stores”, says the CFO person responsible for the Sustainability programs of Swift, Raphael Jacob.

In the case of Seara, purchasing energy from UFV Saltinho aims to reduce its scope3 (indirect) emissions by supplying clean and renewable energy  to its integrated producers. The energy generated by the plant will be consumed by the brand’s integrated producers in the region surrounding the cities of Amparo and Nuporanga in the São Paulo hinterland. It is expected that in addition to adding more sustainability, the initiative will reduce the light bill of the facilities by 20%.

“As one of the global leaders in the poultry and pork industry Seara understands that its role is to share best sustainability practices and push the ESG agenda, improving the profitability of every phase of the sector and contributing to raising a single well-being: people, the environment and animals ”, says the sustainability executive of Seara, José Antonio Ribas Junior.

Expansion in renewables

This is the first photovoltaic plant (UFV) inaugurated by Âmbar, which in 2021 embarked on a robust investment plan in solar energy generation. The Saltinho plant consumed investment of R$ 23 million. “The inauguration of this unit is a milestone in our growth strategy in renewable energy ”, says the president of Âmbar Energia, Marcelo Zanatta.

Besides the UFVs scattered across the country, Âmbar is also investing in  building micro plants on clients properties, such as on the roofs of Swift stores. 

Today, the portfolio of Âmbar Energia in Distributed Generation consists of 58 of these photovoltaic plants in commercial operations, five awaiting connection and three in the construction phase, amounting to 2,185 kWp, at six distribution concessionaires in the Southeast.

• ESG
• Net Zero
• Solar Energy
• Sustainability