• Greenvolt Next develops a 4 MW solar PV plant for global biopharmaceutical company Sanofi in Waterford, Ireland.
• The project is already in operation, generating nearly 3.2 GWh of renewable electricity per year and enabling the avoidance of around 950 tonnes of CO₂ annually.
• The agreement was structured under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), with Greenvolt Next to operate and maintain the solar PV plant under a 20-year O&M contract.

Greenvolt Next, part of Greenvolt Group, a leading specialist in renewable energy solutions for the commercial and industrial sector, has completed the development of a 4 MW solar PV plant for Sanofi, one of the leading global biopharmaceutical companies.

Now in operation at Sanofi’s manufacturing campus in Waterford, Ireland, the project was structured under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), requiring no upfront investment from the pharma company and allowing it to access renewable electricity at a stable and predictable price while benefiting from long-term operational certainty.

The project was formally inaugurated in a ceremony attended by the Minister of State, Mary Butler, underscoring the national relevance of investments that accelerate Ireland’s clean-energy transition. Sanofi, established in Ireland more than 20 years ago, develops and manufactures healthcare solutions across therapeutic areas such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis and vaccines, with the Waterford site playing a central role in its operations.

Greenvolt Next designed and delivered the 4 MW solar PV plant, comprising more than 5,700 panels and 10 inverters. The installation will generate approximately 3.2 GWh of renewable electricity annually, covering around 20% of the site’s energy needs and enabling the avoidance of 950 tonnes of CO₂ each year. This reduction in carbon emissions directly supports Sanofi’s global environmental strategy, while demonstrating the Waterford site’s leadership in climate action within the Irish pharmaceutical sector.

Its delivery was completed within a four-month schedule, mobilising a multidisciplinary team of more than 100 professionals across design, engineering and installation. Greenvolt Next will operate and maintain the facility for 20 years, ensuring performance, safety and reliability throughout its lifecycle. The project strengthens the site’s long-term competitiveness, ensuring it can continue to grow, innovate and manufacture high-quality medicines sustainably.

Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach with special responsibility as Government Chief Whip and the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler commented: 
“This is an impressive initiative that represents a significant step forward for clean energy and sustainable infrastructure in Waterford. It is so important that we strive to continue developing smart energy solutions at community level. Such local investments in renewable energy are particularly important in the context of our national commitments and climate targets, I was particularly struck by the team leading out on this initiative in Sanofi, the energy, the enthusiasm is so encouraging. It sets a precedent for others to follow, having one of the largest renewable installations of this kind in the heart of our city”.

João Manso Neto, CEO of Greenvolt Group, said: 
“This project reflects the trust placed in our expertise and execution capabilities by a global company of Sanofi’s scale, reinforcing our leadership in the commercial and industrial renewable energy sector, both in Ireland and across Europe. We have built a strong track record across multiple industries, including the pharma cluster, which given its substantial energy needs has increasingly adopted on-site generation as a strategic pillar for decarbonisation and energy resilience”.

Cian O Brien, Site Lead, Sanofi Ireland added: 
“Generating our own renewable energy on-site is vital in helping us meet our sustainability targets, aiming for net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045 across all scopes, with a trajectory towards carbon neutrality by 2030. With Greenvolt Next Ireland’s expertise in renewable energy installations for large businesses like us, we will be able to significantly reduce our reliance on the grid, generating 20% of our energy on-site each year”.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Greenvolt