Rolls-Royce procures CO2-free electricity from hydropower from Stadtwerke Ulm

• Rolls-Royce cuts its carbon emissions by around 7,000 tons annually by using hydroelectric power
• Rolls-Royce is already driving the local energy transition with microgrids and solar power

Rolls-Royce has reached a long-term power purchase agreement with Stadtwerke Ulm/Neu-Ulm (SWU) for the annual purchase of around 20,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of CO2-free electrical energy. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is characterized by a long delivery period of five years, guaranteed conditions and sustainably generated electricity from hydropower. The electricity comes entirely from the Donaustetten hydropower plant. By using electricity from Ulm, Rolls-Royce cuts its carbon emissions by around 7,000 tons every year.

“With this partnership, we are contributing to the local energy transition. And by sourcing electricity from hydropower, we are further increasing the proportion of renewable energy in our electricity mix, in line with our strategic goal of significantly reducing our CO2 emissions,” explained Bernd Baader, Head of Engine Assembly Plants and Infrastructure at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. As part of the partnership, Rolls-Royce is not only securing CO2-free electricity, but also stable energy conditions that offer long-term planning security.

“Our hydropower plants have stood for clean and reliable energy for decades. With this contract, we are helping Rolls-Royce to significantly reduce its carbon footprint,” explained Klaus Eder, Managing Director of SWU. “Such partnerships are essential to actively drive forward the transition to a climate-neutral economy.”

Local energy transition: Rolls-Royce already operates microgrids and purchases solar power

For Rolls-Royce, the partnership with Stadtwerke  Ulm is another milestone in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at  its own plants. Three microgrids at the plants in Friedrichshafen, Augsburg and  Aiken/USA, which intelligently network photovoltaic systems with battery containers and combined heat and power plants, are already ensuring an efficient and climate-friendly energy supply. The company is working with local partners to increase the feed-in of electricity from renewable sources into the grid in the vicinity of the plants. Two solar parks near the Power Systems
headquarters in Friedrichshafen have been supplying CO2-free electricity since 2022 (1.6 MWp in Ilmensee and 3.6 MWp in Tengen).

About Stadtwerke Ulm

Stadtwerke Ulm is a leading regional energy supplier that has been relying on renewable energies for decades. The SWU operates several hydroelectric power plants on the Danube, which reliably
supply energy to Ulm and Neu-Ulm, even when there is a lack of sunlight or wind. With a broad portfolio of sustainable solutions, SWU supports both private households and companies on their way to a climate-neutral future.