Dutch brewing company Heineken has opened a new $500m Greenfield brewery location in Meoqui, Chihuahua, Mexico.

The new facility is the company’s seventh location in Mexico and has a production capacity of six million hectolitres per year. It will produce brands such as Tecate, Dos Equis and Heineken for distribution internationally.

Chihuahua governor Javier Corral Jurado said: “Heineken’s new brewery in Meoqui will produce a significant economic advantage to the area, which will be a reference for the state and an incentive for other industries.”

“I am proud that the Meoqui brewery will be one of our biggest and greenest breweries showcasing our long-term commitment to the country, the region and the environment.”

The brewery will be powered by renewable energy and plant waste will be processed at a wastewater treatment plant to increase sustainability. The wastewater plant will enable the usage of biogas in boilers and help to water for cleaning applications.

The brewery’s windows will contain photovoltaic (PV) cells, to generate nearly 12% of the site’s electricity. The remaining energy will be sourced from windpower plants.

Heineken chairman of the executive board and CEO Jean-François van Boxmeer said: “Mexico is an important market for Heineken. With a developing economy, a rich geographical and demographic diversity and a flourishing beer sector, we see great additional potential here.

“I am proud that the Meoqui brewery will be one of our biggest and greenest breweries showcasing our long-term commitment to the country, the region and the environment.”

The Meoqui brewery aims to use just two litres of water for every one litre of beer produced by 2020.

With more than 80,000 employees, the company operates breweries, malteries, cider plants and other production facilities in more than 70 countries, holding a brand portfolio of around 300 speciality beers and ciders.