26 May 2025

Swedish solar energy company Alight and global paints and coatings leader AkzoNobel have signed a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) to support the development of a new 15 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar park in Uppsala County. When operational in 2027, the solar installation is expected to generate 16 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually — enough to power approximately 3,200 Swedish households. Under the agreement, AkzoNobel will purchase a significant portion of the output at a fixed, low cost, supporting the company’s local manufacturing operations and long-term sustainability goals.

 

A Win for Renewable Energy and Industrial Decarbonization

Founded in Sweden and backed by private equity firm CVC DIF, Alight develops, owns, and operates onsite and offsite solar projects across Europe. Its business model is built around PPAs that enable companies to purchase renewable energy without upfront capital investment, while locking in long-term price stability.

“We’re extremely proud to work with AkzoNobel, one of the world’s most sustainable paints and coatings companies,” said Johan Hernström, Head of PPAs at Alight. “We applaud them for taking bold steps to contribute to the energy transition.”

Alight has set an ambitious target of reaching 5 GW of installed solar capacity by 2030, making it a leading player in the Nordics’ shift toward clean, decentralized energy systems.

Powering Key AkzoNobel Sites in Sweden

AkzoNobel, whose brand portfolio includes household names like Dulux, Sikkens, International, and Interpon, will use the renewable electricity to power two of its Swedish sites: its adhesives facility in Kristinehamn, and its protective coatings plant in Gothenburg. These operations are part of AkzoNobel’s broader effort to transition all its locations to 100% renewable electricity by 2030, in line with its science-based climate targets.

“Partnering with Alight, a trusted and experienced solar developer, is an important step in our journey to achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030,” said Wijnand Bruinsma, Director of Sustainability at AkzoNobel. “This agreement secures clean, reliable energy for most of our Swedish operations, while also adding capacity to the national grid — contributing to Sweden’s clean energy transition.”

AkzoNobel already operates on 100% renewable electricity across all of its European manufacturing sites, excluding Türkiye. The new PPA in Sweden marks the company’s first such agreement in the country, and underscores its commitment to scaling offsite renewable energy solutions.

Supporting Sweden’s Energy Goals

Sweden is one of Europe’s clean energy leaders, with more than 60% of electricity generation already coming from renewable sources, including hydropower, wind, and solar. But as energy demand increases and electrification accelerates across industries, more renewable capacity is urgently needed — especially in southern grid zones where energy imbalances persist.

This project helps meet those needs while enabling industrial customers like AkzoNobel to decarbonize their operations without compromising reliability or cost.

Looking Ahead: Malmö and Beyond

In addition to the Uppsala solar park, AkzoNobel is exploring an offsite solar opportunity for its Malmö site, which sits in a different Swedish energy zone. The company is also planning a new PPA in Germany, further expanding its renewable energy footprint.

These initiatives reflect a growing trend in industry: major manufacturers increasingly securing long-term clean energy contracts to reduce emissions, enhance energy security, and future-proof their businesses against volatile energy prices.