PepsiCo Canada plans to purchase enough renewable energy to match 100 per cent of the power requirements for its operations this year – translating to more than 160,000 megawatt-hours of electricity each year.

According to a release, this is equal to powering more than 14,000 Canadian homes per year.

"We're incredibly proud to share that we're on track to achieve our goal of sourcing 100 per cent renewable electricity," Chris Johnson, national engineering and sustainability senior manager at PepsiCo Canada, said in a statement.

"This is just another step forward in our journey to build a more sustainable food system and ultimately, building a more circular economy in Canada with renewable electricity generated right in our own backyard."

PepsiCo Canada, headquartered in in Mississauga, Ont., is the country's largest food and beverage company, employing over 11,000 Canadians and operating over 96 manufacturing and distribution facilities across the country. Its food and beverages business units include brands such as Pepsi, Gatorade, Aquafina, Lays, Doritos, Tostitos and Quaker.

PepsiCo’s renewable energy plans

PepsiCo Canada will reach its target of matching its electricity consumption with 100 per cent renewable energy this year through a virtual power purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Calgary-based TransAlta for a new wind farm in Alberta and the purchase of Canadian Green e-certified renewable energy certificates from other Canadian wind sources.

The 12-year partnership with TransAlta includes the Hanna, Alta.-area Garden Plain Wind Project: a 14,000-acre plot of land that is expected to produce 130 megawatts of wind power per year.

"TransAlta congratulates PepsiCo Canada for making a significant commitment to renewable energy through our Garden Plain Wind Project," Ross Piché, vice-president of projects and construction, said in a statement.

“We are excited to partner with them to deliver a customized, sustainable, and reliable energy solution the company can rely on. The delivery of clean, renewable energy supports PepsiCo Canada's sustainability goals while providing renewable electric energy to the region."

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the U.S. and Australia. It is s one of Canada's largest producers of wind power and Alberta's largest producer of hydro-electric power.

PepsiCo (PEP-Q) has a goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040. Globally, it is aiming to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity in its operations by 2030 and in all its franchise and third-party operations by 2040. Currently, over 70 per cent of its direct operations are sourced with renewable energy –  in the U.S. it is 100 per cent sourced as of 2022.

PepsiCo Canada also plans to replace plastic drink carriers with cardboard carriers and pilot electric fleet vehicles later this year. Its direct operations are on track to divert nearly all waste from landfills in 2023.