Mars Partners With Enel to Expand Clean Energy Shift
Mars teams up with global energy group Enel to push forward a programme designed to move its entire supply chain away from fossil fuels and towards clean electricity.
The two companies collaborate on Renewable Acceleration, a project that uses solar energy to meet growing electricity demand while cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
The United Nations (UN) reports that, as of 2023, the global power sector remains the single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.
To avoid the worst effects of climate change, the UN calls for a complete transition away from fossil fuels and an increase in clean energy sources.
Mars responds to this by working with Enel to expand clean energy production and use across its business and supplier network.
Mars labels Renewable Acceleration as the most extensive power purchase agreement (PPA) ever between a commercial buyer and an energy provider.
Under the programme’s first three contracts, Enel supplies Mars with 1.8 terawatts (Tw) of solar energy per year.
All this energy comes from three of Enel’s solar plants based in Texas, United States.
The sites use sheep grazing as a method of vegetation control, which Mars identifies as a sustainable dual-use practice.
While supporting the clean energy shift, Mars also ties this agreement to its wider sustainability targets, including efforts to halt deforestation, back smart agricultural practices and improve the environmental impact of transport.
Solar power backs full value chain shift
Mars sets its sights on powering everything from farms to delivery trucks to consumer energy use with electricity generated through this partnership. Renewable Acceleration is central to this aim.
Mars states that the scheme will help cut its overall carbon emissions by around three million tonnes.
This figure equals roughly 10% of the company’s total current carbon footprint.
Kevin Rabinovitch, Global VP Sustainability at Mars says: “Many large companies are well on their way to sourcing renewable electricity for their own operations, but that’s just a part of the picture”
“For Mars, Renewable Acceleration is a performance accelerator, cutting emissions at a scale and speed we could never achieve through traditional value chain engagement approaches.
“It lets us bring demand for all the electricity used in our value chain to the clean energy market in a highly efficient manner.
“The more demand we create together, the faster we can build the future we all want.
“And clean energy means cleaner air for our communities, our people and our partners.”
Enel outlines clean energy priorities
On Enel’s side, the programme fits directly into the company’s wider energy transition strategy.
The firm positions renewable generation and electrification as central to its long-term planning.
Michele Di Murro, CEO at Enel North America says: “Renewable Acceleration is a bold initiative to support the buildout of more clean energy capacity, which we know is among the fastest and most economical ways to decarbonise.”
“Mars is raising the bar for corporate sustainability strategies, taking a comprehensive and direct approach to addressing emissions across its entire value chain.
“Enel is proud to partner with Mars in launching this new programme.”
Enel includes solar, onshore wind, hydroelectric power and battery energy storage in its clean power mix. The company continues to phase out coal while developing modernised systems to improve stability and efficiency.
Francesco Venturini, CEO of Enel X Global Retail says: “Our company is constantly seeking to collaborate globally with companies that promote long-lasting development and that are mutually creating shared value for all stakeholders.
This approach matches Mars' strategy of engaging with partners who can help it meet broad climate targets. Through Renewable Acceleration, both companies focus on delivering scalable renewable power with measurable impact on emissions across global supply chains.
Together, Mars and Enel look to show how corporate energy use can shift away from fossil fuels and support the clean energy goals set by international climate bodies.
