An aerial shot of the 3,860+ solar panels on the roof of Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji manufacturing facility in Suva.

Coca-Cola Amatil in Fiji is now generating around 40% of its Suva manufacturing facility’s total energy requirements from the sun, following the installation of over 3,860 solar panels on the roof of the building.

Coca-Cola Amatil’s Group Managing Director Alison Watkins, who is based in Sydney, says the Solar Energy Project is another example of the company’s commitment to further reducing its carbon footprint with the rollout of 1.1 megawatts of renewable energy generation.

“This is only the first stage. When Stage 2 is completed, we anticipate 80% of the site’s energy needs will come from the sun. Coca-Cola Amatil Fiji is leading the change for our entire group in this area.”

The 1.1MW solar system produces 1,408,000 Kilowatt hours of energy per year, saving 974 tons of CO2 annually – the equivalent of saving 414,722 litres of diesel per year or planting 24,964 trees.

Chris Litchfield, Coca-Cola Amatil’s Managing Director New Zealand & Fiji says the company hopes to extend its commitment to renewable energy to other Pacific Islands, PNG, Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand.

“As a leading beverage company in New Zealand, we take our corporate social responsibility very seriously. We are incredibly proud of this project because it aligns strongly with our environmental values - not just for the Pacific but throughout our whole business.”