Beer brand Castle Lite is switching to brewing using renewable energy in order to draw less electricity from the country’s already struggling national grid, and to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The move to renewable energy is directly in line with South African Breweries (SAB) and holding company Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (AB InBev’s) global commitment to the 2025 Sustainability Goals in climate action. Its plans entail adding renewable electricity capacity to regional grids and reducing CO2 emissions across the globe.

“We know how important sustainability and our environmental future is for SA, but sometimes, it feels like such a big task that we can’t do anything to make a difference. As a brand that prides itself on innovation, Castle Lite is making the switch to brew with renewable electricity in order to ensure that making a difference is easier,” said Castle Lite brand director Colleen Duvenage.

“Our consumers can do their bit by choosing a beer that is not only hugely enjoyable and super refreshing but is also reducing its load on the national power supply with its production, ensuring there is more to go around. Meaning more enjoyment.”

According to the brand, all seven of its breweries within South Africa contribute to the offloading on the national grid using solar power, with Alrode brewery in Johannesburg also making use of bio-gas facilities.

The breweries have already generated over 9.7GWh of renewable electricity between January and August this year. The switch has also resulted in a CO2 emissions reduction of 9 443 tons since the start of the year.

“Castle Lite is committed to switching to brew 100% of our extra cold refreshment with renewable electricity by 2025,” Duvenage added.

“Using less power from the national grid to brew our beer, means more power for the things that you want to do. It’s that simple. Castle Lite is not just playing a part in being the change we want to see in the world, but we are actively forging the way forward so that others can follow and do the same.”