Mars, a leading provider of snacking, food, and pet care products, has entered into agreements with renewable energy developer GoldenPeaks Capital to initiate more than 100 solar projects in Poland. These projects aim to supply renewable electricity both to Mars and to Cargill, a significant supplier to Mars.
This agreement marks Mars’ inaugural European contract under its Renewable Acceleration programme, which is designed to expedite the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy throughout the company’s operations and its global supply chain. Mars unveiled this programme last month, naming Enel North America as its initial energy partner.
The agreement is reportedly the largest multi-buyer renewable energy deal in Central and Eastern Europe. GoldenPeaks Capital will develop the solar projects in Poland, which are expected to become operational in 2027. The contracts include five virtual power purchase agreements (PPAs), providing 224 MW of capacity to Mars and Cargill.
Adriano Agosti, Founder and Chairman of GoldenPeaks Capital, commented on the agreements, stating that they underscore a partnership-driven approach, delivering complex and high-value energy solutions, while furthering decarbonisation efforts across the region.
Mars’ Renewable Acceleration programme follows the company’s launch in 2023 of a series of climate-related goals. These include a commitment to halve carbon emissions across its entire value chain by 2030 and to invest over $1 billion over three years to advance climate action. Mars anticipates that the programme will contribute towards a 10% reduction in its total carbon footprint by 2030, with additional global agreements forthcoming.
Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP Sustainability at Mars, expressed enthusiasm about the programme’s progress, highlighting the collaboration with Enel in North America and the new initiative in Europe as evidence of Mars’ commitment to making renewable energy standard wherever it operates. He noted the significance of Cargill, one of Mars’ largest suppliers, joining the effort to accelerate the shift to clean energy within shared supply chains, benefiting the communities served.
Christina Yagjian, Senior Director of Global Renewable Energy at Cargill, added that the collaboration with Mars on this joint procurement initiative goes beyond reducing procurement costs and emissions. It also deepens the commercial relationship and demonstrates how partnerships across the value chain can drive substantial climate action.
