Heineken launches heat pump at Portugal brewery to cut emissions

Heineken has activated a 6-megawatt high-temperature heat pump at its brewery in Vialonga, north of Lisbon, as part of a €33.5 million decarbonization project. Developed with Siemens Portugal, the system recovers waste heat from the facility’s refrigeration equipment and uses renewable electricity to convert it into hot water. This setup is expected to reduce the plant’s thermal energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 7,381 metric tons annually, representing a 39 percent efficiency gain.

While the heat pump is operational, the second phase of the project—a 100-megawatt-hour heat battery made of refractory bricks designed to produce high-pressure steam—has faced a delay. Originally scheduled for completion in April 2027, the installation of the heat battery is now expected in 2028.

The project is funded by Heineken and includes €8.8 million from Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, which utilizes European Union pandemic recovery funds.