OBC signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KEPCO Energy Solution and Aeonus for a 'Solar Energy Generation Joint Business’.

Under this agreement, OBC will provide a site for installing solar power generation facilities in Gwangju, Cheongju and Icheon breweries, using the solar power energy generated to produce beer, and pay a fixed amount of usage fee to Aeonus. KEPCO Energy Solution will be responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of the solar power generation facilities. As an operator of solar power generation facilities, Aeonus will be responsible for keeping operations and maintenances of the solar power generation facilities, securing carbon emission rights, and verifying performances. This marks the first time for a ‘RE100’ ("Renewable Energy 100) project to be announced and implemented in Korea.

The three companies will commence construction of the solar power generation facilities starting at the OBC Gwangju brewery in December 2020; full operation for solar power generation is expected to begin in early 2021. The objective is to run full operation of solar power generation facilities in all three breweries within the first half of next year. OBC plans to use about 12GWh of solar power per year for the production of beer. If OBC replaces the electricity required to produce beer with renewable energy, approximately 5,621 tons of CO2(carbon dioxide) can be reduced per year. A total of 343GWh of power supply and over 160,000 ton of CO2 are expected to be reduced over the 30 year lifespan of the facilities.

An official from OBC stated, “The signing of this agreement marks the realization of our efforts to start RE100 business in Korea. We will actively respond to climate changes by expanding the use of renewable energy and strive to fulfill our environmental protection and social responsibility as a leading company in ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) management.”

AB InBev, the parent company of OBC, is a member of the ‘RE100’, which is a global initiative that brings together the world's influential businesses, committed to using 100% renewable electricity. Companies that have joined the RE100 initiative must achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. AB InBev has announced plans to achieve this much earlier, as AB InBev has set a target to secure 100% of its purchased electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

KEPCO Energy Solution, the energy-saving solution developer of Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) and six power generation companies are investing in energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction activities and conducting engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) for renewable energy generation. Through this RE100 project, KEPCO Energy Solution is expected to play a vital role in the revival of carbon emission reduction projects with OBC by preparing a sustainable model for the business.

Aeonus is a carbon-neutral energy solution venture company, which in addition to the RE100 renewable energy activities, is also developing and commercializing carbon-neutral models such as energy innovation parks, urban energy base income, and ESS-based charging platforms, such as re-absorbing carbon dioxide to achieve zero carbon emissions.