The move signals a significant commitment to renewable energy from one of the world’s largest food manufacturers, with the project expected to deliver around 490 GWh of renewable electricity annually, avoiding approximately 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.
According to Mars, the wind farm will support its efforts to extend renewable electricity across its “value chain” and advance progress towards its net zero ambitions.
The deal with European Energy’s Skuodas Wind Farm has been secured via a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) and forms part of the US firm’s wider plans to reduce its total carbon footprint through its Renewables Acceleration Programme.
“At Mars, we’re focused on turning climate commitments into measurable progress and action with real-world infrastructure,” said Kevin Rabinovitch, global vice-president of sustainability at Mars.
“This agreement with European Energy helps bring new wind power online in Lithuania and strengthens our ability to extend credible renewable electricity across our value chain. It marks another step under our Renewables Acceleration Program, helping scale clean electricity and keep us moving towards our net zero ambitions.”
Mars says the contract includes bundled guarantees of origin, enabled by renewable electricity from new-build capacity in the region. The new wind farm is expected to generate roughly the amount of electricity needed to power approximately 250,000 homes for a year and will have an installed capacity of 158.4 MW.
Planned to go live in 2028, the project will additionally support the Mars pet food manufacturing facility in Gargzdai, near the Lithuanian coast. Opened in 1993, it currently employs around 800 full-time personnel.
Following similar clean energy deals in Poland, Sweden and the US, Mars expects its Renewables Acceleration Programme to contribute an estimated 10% reduction of its total carbon footprint by 2030, against a 2015 baseline.
“This agreement shows how companies like Mars are actively enabling new renewable generation. Through this collaboration, we are bringing the Skuodas wind farm forward and adding substantial new, domestically produced capacity to Lithuania’s energy mix,” added Jens-Peter Zink, deputy chief executive of European Energy.
“It shows how corporate PPAs translate commitments into real infrastructure and strengthen national energy independence in Lithuania.”
