EDP and Rondo’s solar and heat battery solution will power HEINEKEN operations in Portugal through heat electrification
The Central de Cervejas e Bebidas Brewery and Malting Plant, part of HEINEKEN Company, in Portugal, is taking a significant step towards decarbonization, operating with clean, zero-emission steam. The project results from a partnership between HEINEKEN, EDP, and Rondo Energy, and marks the first major Heat-as-a-Service agreement in Portugal, combining solar power and thermal storage to decarbonize industrial processes through heat electrification.
The HEINEKEN Group, through Grupo Central de Cervejas, Rondo Energy, and EDP have signed an agreement to install a 100 MWh thermal storage battery at the Central de Cervejas e Bebidas Brewery and Malting Plant in Lisbon, Portugal. This will be one of the largest heat batteries in the beverage sector worldwide and will contribute to transforming the facility into one of the most sustainable production centers in the world by operating with clean, zero-emission steam. This partnership also marks the first major Heat-Purchase-Agreement in Portugal, leveraging an on-site renewables and storage solution. The project is subject to customary administrative and regulatory approvals.
Rondo’s Heat Battery stores renewable electricity as high-temperature heat, delivering safe, continuous, zero-carbon steam and eliminating the need for fossil-fuel boilers. In this project, EDP will install a 7 MWp solar plant on the grounds of Central de Cervejas e Bebidas to power the Rondo battery, which will then supply the steam required for production processes.
The battery will also be charged with renewable energy from the grid through a long-term flexible power purchase agreement (PPA) of 25 GWh per year between Central de Cervejas e Bebidas and EDP. With this PPA, EDP will optimize the delivery of energy, ensuring flexibility and maximizing the use of renewable electricity generated. This tailor-made solution enables HEINEKEN to adopt advanced technology without operational complexity.
“By combining our strengths with EDP and Rondo, we’re unlocking new ways to power our brewery operations more efficiently. This project not only helps us reduce our reliance on conventional energy, it shows how practical innovation and strong partnerships can deliver meaningful improvements across our supply chain”, said Magne Setnes, Chief Supply Chain Officer at HEINEKEN.
“Iberia can become Europe’s low-cost, low-carbon industrial base. We’re thrilled to deploy our first Rondo Heat Battery in the region and support HEINEKEN in its goals. We look forward to helping industries across Iberia cut costs and emissions and help Iberia capitalize on the opportunity”, said Eric Trusiewicz, CEO of Rondo Energy.
With this EDP/Rondo solution, the brewery is expected to reduce carbon emissions without altering its production processes, as the steam provided by the Rondo battery is identical to that generated by fossil fuels. The factory is projected to lower its natural gas consumption, avoiding an estimated 6,600 tons of CO₂ emissions per year.
Sociedade Central de Cervejas e Bebidas’ already operates two solar plants developed by EDP, with a combined capacity of 2 MWp. For the past four years, both companies have worked together to make one of Portugal’s most iconic music festivals greener. The new heat battery will enable an even deeper decarbonization of the site, addressing one of the most challenging needs in a brewery: decarbonizing high-temperature steam, which until now has been produced from gas.
This project provides a replicable model for other sectors with high energy demands, such as the food and beverage, pulp and paper, chemicals, and pharmaceutical industries.
This project is backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst. Boosting competitiveness and decarbonizing Europe’s industry through affordable renewable energy is a key priority for the EIB Group. Through our new Climate Bank Roadmap, we are prioritizing innovative solutions such as Rondo’s heat battery. This project is exactly the kind of public-private partnership we aim to support more of in the future”, said EIB Vice President Karl Nehammer.
"Rondo’s heat batteries offer a unique pathway toward energy security for European industry, allowing companies like Heineken to implement a solution that is affordable, reliable, and clean. Catalyst exists to accelerate the deployment of critical technologies, and we are thrilled to support a project, along with our European Partners, that can provide round-the-clock decarbonized heat for manufacturing in this moment of need", said Mario Fernandez, Head of Breakthrough Energy Catalyst.
The collaboration between two global leaders – HEINEKEN in the food and beverage sector and EDP in the energy sector – demonstrates the vast potential of heat batteries to benefit industrial facilities, renewable energy producers, and grid operators alike.
How the Rondo Heat Battery works
The Rondo Heat Battery charges with intermittent and low-cost electricity, stores electricity as heat in refractory brick, and delivers steam on-demand at any conditions up to over 100 bar, with no combustion and no emissions. It can deliver continuous 24-hour steam, heat and/or electricity, serving as a drop-in replacement for fossil fuel-fired boilers or cogeneration systems.
By pairing intermittent and low-cost electricity with the Rondo Heat Battery, industries can replace fossil fuels while maintaining round-the-clock operations. Globally, electrifying heat could reduce industrial emissions by gigatons and reshape the energy landscape.