Chocolate and the sun are actually not a good combination, but the La Ronda chocolate factory in Dubai proves the two can go together very well. The factory is now relying on solar power to manufacture its speciality “Chocodates.” The goal is to produce the Chocodates with a zero-carbon footprint.
Making chocolate is a costly and energy consuming process. The practice of sustainability has always played a key role in La Ronda’s vision, which relates to the entire value chain and reconciles economic, social, and environmental concerns: no genetically modified ingredients, both UTZ- and fair-trade-certified chocolate, energy-efficient LED lighting in the modern production and storage facilities, and now a climate-neutral solar power supply as well.
kilowatts peak generates 950 megawatt hours of solar power per year, covering around 70% of the entire production energy demand. Twenty-three Sunny Tripower 25000TL-30s and the SMA Cluster Controller ensure that 100% of the valuable solar power can be used in production.
La Ronda aims to capitalize on the global trend to e-mobility as well. The charging stations and solar parking lots will be made available for private electric vehicles as well as for suppliers and visitors in the future. Chocodates will become sustainable in every respect.
La Ronda LLC with headquarters in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, was founded in 1992 by Fawaz Masri and is part of the Notions Group. The main product is called “Chocodates” – dates filled with roasted almonds and coated with chocolate. Dates are a symbol of both wealth and health in Arabia. La Ronda employs more than 300 people and exports to approximately 35 countries worldwide.