U.S.-based cement manufacturer Alamo Cement has completed the installation of a 45-acre solar power system to support its production facility in San Antonio, Texas.
According to the company, the renewable power project spans 45 acres and has the capacity to generate up to 17.8 GWh per year. It is expected to produce up to 15 percent of the plant's yearly energy consumption while reducing emissions and electricity costs.
Alamo says it worked with CPS Energy, the municipal electric utility serving the city of San Antonio, and regional engineering firms and contractors on this project, which is said to be the largest customer–owned solar power project in the CPS Energy service area.
The energy system is estimated to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 8,000 tons per year and alleviate stress on the San Antonio region’s electrical grid.
“Alamo Cement is committed to furthering the cement industry's goal of decarbonizing and this project is a major step in the right direction,” said Massimo Toso, President and CEO of Alamo Cement. “We continue to look for more opportunities to enhance sustainability in our operations, and plan to build on our experience from this San Antonio project and explore implementing additional renewable power systems within our Group.”
Headquartered in San Antonio, Alamo is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Italian cement company Buzzi Unicem.
The historically carbon-intensive cement industry is undergoing a shift toward decarbonization both in operational energy use and processes. Companies such as Lafarge, Lehigh Hanson and CEMEX are pursuing various paths including renewable energy, electrification and carbon capture, among others.
The Global Cement and Concrete Assocation has commenced a Net Zero Accelerators initiative in several emerging markets such as India. Overall, some four billion metric tons of cement is produced globally every year, and together the sector generates $440 billion in revenue annually, according to reports.
