Committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, Casella Family Brands has switched on its solar power facility at its Yenda, New South Wales site. The solar facility is the largest of its kind in the Australian beverage sector, with 8730 solar panels, capable of generating 11.53 GWh of electricity per year.
The facility will provide clean, renewable electricity to the company’s largest winemaking site in Yenda, which is home to [yellow tail] wine. The solar will offset 7800 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, enough to meet the electricity needs of approximately 1900 Australian homes, or equivalent to planting 325,000 trees.
The new solar facility is the first step in the company’s pathway to reducing net-zero GHG emissions by 50 per cent by 2030, and achieving 100 per cent by 2050.
Casella Family Brands has measured its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions to outline key reduction areas. The largest source of direct GHG emissions was identified as Scope 2 electricity at the Yenda site which makes up approximately 65 per cent of total Scope 1 and 2 emissions. The solar farm will provide approximately 35 per cent of the Yenda site’s electricity. The site will use all the clean electricity the solar system produces.
The facility features a two-panel tracking system incorporating a smart algorithm that optimises the positioning of the solar panels to allow for maximum sun exposure and energy generation year-round.
The facility will also power Casella Family Brands’ on-site brewery, home of the Australian Beer Company and its brands including Yenda Brewing Co., Son of a Nun and Pressman’s Cider.
In addition, Casella Family Brands has invested in a second solar system. This facility will provide clean energy to power the wastewater treatment plant and is capable of generating 890.47 MWh of electricity per year. Consisting of 936 panels it boasts 20-degree fixed tilt mounting selected for maximum generation and will contribute approximately 30 per cent of the facility’s electricity needs.
Casella Family Brands MD John Casella said the facilities were making a direct contribution to the Australian wine industry’s GHG emissions reduction goals.
“As a family-owned business, we’re committed to playing a role in ensuring the resilience of the Australian wine industry for generations to come. This includes investing in the regions where we operate, supporting our growers during challenging market conditions and making strategic decisions to ensure our business is set up for long-term success,” said Casella.
In September 2023, Wine Australia released an Emissions Reduction Roadmap for the Australian grape and wine sector.
Wine Australia CEO Dr Martin Cole said Casella Family Brand’s new solar farm is another signal of the recognition from Australian grape and wine businesses to act now towards a lower carbon future for all.
“We know that sustainability is an increasingly high priority for consumers, and Casella’s strong actions to reduce their emissions are an extremely positive step towards the sector’s emissions reduction goals. This is an important investment for Casella and the Riverina region and supports the broader sector’s work to safeguard the future of Australian wine,” said Cole.
Both solar facilities were developed and constructed by Australia’s leading engineering, procurement, and construction company Next Generation Electrical. The large system is located 3.5km from the winery site in Yenda NSW.
With land holdings across the Riverina, Casella Family Brands had an 11-hectare plot that was not suitable for agricultural purposes and after a Biodiversity Assessment and Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Assessment, it was instead deemed well suited to host the solar farm development.
