Vetropack Straža has completed the construction of its third solar power plant at its glass facility in Hum na Sutli, Croatia.

The project was completed a month ahead of schedule, and the plant has been fully operational since the end of May.

It is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 302.02 tonnes each year.

The 1899.5 MWh of electricity generated each year will be used directly in the production of glass bottles and jars, as well as to meet the needs of the administrative building.

Mario Berc, Technical Manager at Vetropack Straža and Project Leader, said: “The project was completed a month ahead of schedule thanks to the excellent co-operation of all involved teams and partners.

“Each such project brings us closer to the goals defined in our Strategy 2030, particularly the goal of reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50.4% by 2032 compared to 2021, which has been validated by the SBTi initiative.”

During construction, 4,438 solar panels and 25 inverters were installed on the roof of the Hum na Sutli facility.

The project, known as MF-2023-1-1-120, is co-financed through an agreement with the Croatian Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition, and the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund.

Valued at €1,363,108.89, it has received €817,865.33 in co-financing from the Modernisation Fund.

Darko Šlogar, Managing Director of Vetropack Straža, said: “Reliable energy supply and the use of renewable sources are the foundation of our approach to energy resilience.

“Every new project we implement confirms our commitment not only to meeting existing goals but also to setting new standards of sustainability and operational excellence in the industry.”

Vetropack Straža’s journey towards renewable energy began in 2019, with the installation of its first two solar power plants with 3,400 panels.

Since 2023, the factory has also been participating in the KOER virtual power plant.

The virtual power plant unites producers, consumers and battery storage systems within the Croatian power system.

It enables end users to participate in the electricity market, while helping the Croatian Transmission System Operator to optimally manage and balance the power system.

With this project, Vetropack Straža has further strengthened its role also in Croatia’s green transition toward a more sustainable energy system.