Arthur Besse, Head of Onshore Wind Procurement at Vattenfall, articulates the company’s vision: “Vattenfall is committed to achieving climate neutrality across our entire value chain by 2040. Our goal is to cut greenhouse gas emissions from purchased goods and services by 50% by 2030. The Bruzaholm project is a practical demonstration of our efforts to mitigate climate impact during the construction of our wind farms.”
Pioneering Low-Carbon Concrete Solutions
A standout feature of the Bruzaholm project is its use of ultra-low carbon concrete. This concrete has a CO2 footprint of just 211 kg CO2 equivalents per cubic meter, representing a 12% reduction from Vattenfall’s internal eco-concrete target and a 40% decrease compared to industry standards for conventional concrete. The additional cost for this low-carbon material is less than 2%, significantly impacting the project's carbon footprint with minimal budget implications.
Validated by the Swedish Concrete Association (Svensk Betong), this low-carbon concrete reflects Vattenfall’s commitment to achieving net-zero targets within its wind supply chain.
Innovative Procurement Strategies
Sustainable procurement is not limited to material selection. For Bruzaholm, Vattenfall employed a procurement strategy that solicited independent CO2 emission reduction proposals from suppliers. This allowed suppliers to present competitive base prices while also proposing measures to further reduce emissions.
The contract for groundworks went to Kanonaden Entreprenad, whose proposal included several sustainability initiatives. These included the use of biodiesel for site machinery, recycled plastic pipes for conduits and signage, and optimised logistics to minimise transportation emissions.
Besse comments, “Kanonaden Entreprenad was an ideal partner. Their proactive approach, including the suggestion of extra-low CO2 concrete and other innovative measures, has been instrumental. This model of integrating sustainability into procurement will be a cornerstone for future projects.”
Setting a Precedent for Sustainable Procurement
Vattenfall’s Bruzaholm wind farm project highlights how sustainable procurement can lead to substantial environmental benefits. By focusing on low-carbon materials and incorporating supplier-driven emissions reduction strategies, Vattenfall is advancing its sustainability objectives and setting a new benchmark for future projects.