DLA Piper advises Kimberly-Clark Europe Limited on three corporate power purchase agreements in Italy and Spain
A cross-border DLA Piper team has advised Kimberly-Clark Europe Limited, one of the world's leading manufacturers of personal care and hygiene products, on three virtual solar power purchase agreements (PPAs) in Italy and Spain.
The PPAs will generate a forecasted 164 GWh of renewable electricity each year from two solar power facilities in Italy – Camposcala and Rinaldone (Lazio) – and one in Spain – Santa Catalina (Andalusia). The renewable energy generation of the solar farms is equivalent to over 40% of the total electricity consumed by Kimberly-Clark's Western & Central European production facilities, located in Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and Czechia. It will virtually power the production of major brands including Kleenex, Scottex, Scott, WypAll, Page & Hakle. The launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2025. These PPAs mark another step towards electrification and carbon emissions reduction of the tissue making process.
This joint initiative between K-C and BNZ, an affiliate of Nuveen Infrastructure, will help Kimberly-Clark take significant strides in its decarbonisation journey and support its global commitment to reduce its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, against a 2015 baseline.
Natasha Luther Jones, Global Co-Chair of Energy and Natural Resources at DLA Piper, comments: "Manufacturers have a significant role to play in decarbonisation and, through our leading global energy transition platform, we were able to work closely and efficiently across a number of jurisdictions to effectively support Kimberly-Clark on these important steps towards achieving its sustainability objectives."
Oriol Margó, Sustainability Leader at Kimberly-Clark, said: “Kimberly-Clark's collaboration with BNZ is another example of our dedication to make progress in our decarbonisation journey. The renewable energy generation of the new solar farms will be equivalent to over 40% of the total electricity consumed by our European production facilities. Energy transformation is a key priority for us and through these projects we are increasing the amount of renewable electricity available in the grids that we draw from, which also benefits the community. We continue to invest in the future of the planet, our business and our industry, with our consumers and customers in mind, and hope to encourage other organisations to do the same.”
BNZ’s Head of Revenues, Rodrigo López said: “This multi-country PPA agreement with a leading industrial client committed with sustainability represents a significant milestone for BNZ. At the same time, it reflects a growing trend: more and more companies are choosing long-term contracts that not only ensure energy stability but also reinforce their responsibility to create a more sustainable world. This shift not only benefits businesses but also drives meaningful progress for society and the economy as a whole.”
The DLA Piper team was led by Natasha Luther-Jones (partner, London) and Giuseppe Mele (partner, Rome) and negotiations were led by Tom Metcalfe (senior associate, Leeds), supported by Hayley Kinsey (associate, Leeds), Rebekah Birrell (associate, Leeds), Giulio Maroncelli (partner, Rome), Riccardo Malavolti (lawyer, Rome), Marta Clemente (legal director, Madrid) and Marcos Gil (associate, Madrid).
