McDonald’s and Axpo sign long-term PPA in Spain

Axpo and McDonald’s, Spain’s leading restaurant chain, have signed a ten-year power purchase agreement (PPA) for the supply of up to 83 gigawatt hours (GWh) of solar energy a year, it was announced today. The agreement strengthens McDonald’s commitments to renewable energy and environmental sustainability. 

In brief:

• Ten-year solar PPA between Axpo and McDonald's Spain to provide 83 GWh of electricity a year from an Axpo facility.
• Hundreds of restaurants powered, supporting McDonald's carbon reduction and climate neutrality goals across Spain.
• Partnership enhances McDonald's sustainability strategy on packaging, circular economy and electric mobility.

The electricity will be supplied by Axpo’s newly built solar power complex located across the municipalities of Villadangos del Páramo and Cimanes del Tejar, in the northwestern province of León. The 200 megawatt-peak (MWp) complex comprises four photovoltaic plants each generating 50 MWp of power.

The PPA, achieved through the combined efforts of Axpo, McDonald’s franchises in Spain and energy consultant ZConsultores Energéticos, will ensure the supply of photovoltaic energy to restaurants participating in the agreement. In doing so, McDonald’s is reinforcing its commitment to reduce the company’s carbon footprint in Spain which in turn contributes to its global goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Axpo Iberia CEO Ignacio Soneira said: "McDonald's sustainability vision aligns perfectly with ours. By securing 83 gigawatt hours of solar energy annually, they are putting into practice the company’s carbon reduction commitment for Spain and indeed globally. Axpo is proud to be their partner on this journey, proving that renewable energy solutions can be scaled across diverse industries and regions."

The agreement marks a key milestone in McDonald’s environmental sustainability strategy, which focuses on various areas in addition to renewable energy, such as packaging, the circular economy and electric mobility. Part of the McDonald’s ‘Happy Change’ sustainability initiative, the collaboration integrates projects related to energy, recycling and packaging, an approach the brand is promoting across its more than 660 restaurants across Spain. In this way, McDonald’s continues to take steps towards leadership as a brand committed to the environment and making a real and sustainable contribution to Spanish society.

Axpo Iberia was established in 2001 and offers customised energy services to large companies, SMEs and independent businesses. The Axpo subsidiary also provides market representation, control centre services, energy efficiency solutions, and supply of electricity, gas, solar energy, biomass and biomethane. 

More information about Axpo’s PPA business can be found on our website.