CASE STUDY
Driving Sustainable Energy Solutions
Sanofi, Astellas, AstraZeneca and Hovione
Greenvolt Next and Greenvolt Comunidades main projects in the sector around Europe.
Decarbonizing
Pharma through tailored energy solutions
The pharmaceutical sector plays a critical role in global health, yet it is also highly energy-intensive, with strict environmental controls, continuous operations, and complex manufacturing processes driving significant energy demand. Across the broader healthcare system, the sector is responsible for approximately 4.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with pharmaceutical production and supply chains contributing to a substantial share of this footprint.
At Greenvolt Next, we support pharmaceutical companies in navigating this complexity by delivering tailored energy solutions that align with stringent regulatory requirements and operational precision. From on-site renewable generation to advanced energy management, we help ensure reliability while reducing environmental impact.
Our work demonstrates how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into highly controlled environments, enabling pharmaceutical operations to enhance resilience, maintain compliance, and progress more efficiently.
THE PROJECTS
Bringing Energy Next to
Sanofi
Sanofi Waterford is a significant manufacturing facility located in Waterford City in the Southeast of Ireland. Established in 2001, it serves as a key hub in Sanofi’s global network with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology. Sanofi is an R&D driven; AI Powered biopharma company committed to improving people’s lives and delivering compelling growth.
4
MW
installed capacity
20
%
annual energy offset
950
tons
CO2 avoided annually
5,700
panels
The challenges
Corporate climate goals – advancing towards the objective of net-zero or significant reduction in Scope 2 emissions
Energy price volatility – reduce this exposure and future carbon regulation risks
Sustainability leadership – demonstrate results to stand out within the pharmaceutical / industrial sector by integrating renewable energy at scale
The results
Deployed a 4MW ground mounted solar farm located near the Sanofi site in only 4 months, without interrupting the client’s activity
Integrated with Sanofi energy management system to optimize renewable energy usage on site
Financed, built and maintained by Greenvolt Next Ireland in a 20 year long term PPA
”It is so important that we strive to continue developing smart energy solutions at community level. Such local investments in renewable energy are particularly important in the context of our national commitments and climate targets. It sets a precedent for others to follow, having one of the largest renewable installations of this kind in the heart of our city
Mary ButlerIrish Minister of State
Astellas
Operating in Ireland for almost 40 years, Astellas specializes in the development of transformative therapies across areas including oncology, ophthalmology, urology, immunology, and women’s health.
2.2
MW
installed capacity
27
%
of eletricity needs
310
tons
CO2 avoided annually
3,192
solar panels
5
inverters
The challenges
Site’s biodiversity – due to its location it was important to pay careful attention to protect and enhance the site’s biodiversity
Sustainability goals – lower the environmental impact while maintaining operational excellence
Future growth – developed having with future expansion in mind and ability to expand the renewable energy capacity as operational need evolve
The results
Delivery of a 2.2MWp ground-mounted solar farm in just four months, supporting today’s volatile energy landscape
The system can accommodate additional future inverts in battery storage integration, keeping in mind for future operational demands
In order to promote local ecology and support long-term biodiversity on the site large bug hotels were constructed, multiple bat boxes were installed, and a significant number of native Irish trees were planted
”At Astellas, we know that time is of the essence when it comes to taking action. As well as doing the best for patients, we are also committed to doing the best for the world around us – that includes supporting a greener future. In just four months, Greenvolt Next has delivered a solar farm which boosts our sustainability credentials and offers scalability. Underpinned by their resources and expertise, this installation is already making a tangible difference to our business operations.
Leon BurnsCapital Projects Lead, Astellas Ireland
AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a multinational biopharmaceutical company driven by innovation, focused on the research, development, and commercialization of prescription medicines. Although solar panels were already installed on the roof at AstraZeneca’s headquarters, the company wanted to go further and expand the installation, through an energy community. Aligned with its commitment to sustainability, AstraZeneca also intended to decarbonize its fleet of vehicles.
303
kWp
installed capacity*
63,000
€
saved in 15 years
53
tons
CO2 avoided per year
* Increased from 165,6 kWp to 303 kWp
The solutions
Solar Installation Expansion
(UPAC)
Solar Carport
Solar Electric Mobility
The results
An Energy Community doesn’t stand only with producers. For this project to succeed we need to have into account the consumer and the environment as well:
Consumer: Hospital Prof. Dr. Fernando da Fonseca will receive surplus shared energy from AstraZeneca and will only pay service tax, based on their energy consumption.
Environment: the installed capacity corresponds to a renewable energy production of approximately 200 MWh/year which will help avoid the emission of 53 tons of CO2 per year.
”We analyzed several partners, but the truth is that Greenvolt had excellent technical expertise, very competitive prices, and above all, professionalism. Not to mention the ability to work in partnership to find the best solution for our specific location.
Bruno CaloCFO AstraZeneca
Hovione
Hovione is a Portuguese pharmaceutical company that helps transforming scientific research into medicine used worldwide. Its goal is to improve patient health through science and innovation. The company is also committed to sustainability, focusing on energy efficiency, renewable power, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions across its operations; through a Greenvolt Next solution: Energy Communities.
+832
kWp
installed power
+1,3
GWh
annual energy production
337
tons
CO2 avoided per year
1.380
panels
The challenges
Predictability of energy costs due to high-energy consumption
Limited space available, small production capacity on-site
The results
Development of two energy community projects, with an annual renewable energy production of above 1 GWh
Installation through a 15 year PPA, which will represent a total accumulated savings of more than 2 million euros
This solution helped overcome the limit of daily clean energy production, through the access of energy sharing from other producers in the community
Promotion of integrated consumption and more efficient energy management because of the energy communities
”These energy communities represent another step in fulfilling our commitment to sustainability, both environmental and financial. In addition to increasing the incorporation of renewable energy in our operations, we are also ensuring greater cost predictability and significant savings in the short and long term, contributing to a more efficient and responsible management of our business
Dr. Jean-Luc HerbeauxCEO of Hovione
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