Nestlé, one of the world’s largest food and drinks company, has opened a new wind farm at Sanquhar in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland.
The farm is developed in partnership with Community Windpower, the sustainable energy business, and consists of nine turbines which are producing around 125 GWh of power per annum.
The confectionary giant said that this is enough energy to supply half of the annual electricity demands of its UK and Irish operations. It will supply enough power for 30,000 homes to the National Grid, greatly reducing its carbon emissions.
Green Energy
Speaking at the launch, Stefano Agostini, CEO Nestlé UK and Ireland said, “I’m proud that Nestlé is doing the right thing and directly contributing to the reduction of carbon here in the UK and Ireland. We all have a part to play in reducing climate change and its effects while making sure that we safeguard our planet’s future.
“We already use 100% renewable, grid-supplied electricity across all our UK and Ireland operations, but now with the opening of Sanquhar wind farm, we can supply half of our own energy here in the UK and Ireland. I’m delighted we not only using 100% renewable electricity to run our business here in the UK and Ireland, we are now responsible for producing it too.”
Rod Wood, Managing Director, Community Windpower added, “Nestlé is leading the way procuring a UK source of green energy directly from our latest Scottish wind farm. CWP’s long-term partnership with Nestlé has delivered a substantial new investment in Scotland generating economic benefits, jobs and invaluable community contributions over the next 25 years.
“Scottish onshore wind is highly productive and Sanquhar will deliver over 45% capacity factor which will be supplied to the grid, thereby reducing fossil fuel generation. Global warming is becoming more obvious every day and it’s great to see a company as influential as Nestlé making a stand for the environment.”
Sustainability Goals
The project has been welcomed enthusiastically by the local community, and it will contribute annually to a local community fund managed by Community Windpower, which will help provide economic, educational, environmental and social benefits for the lifetime of the wind farm.
Ecological surveys ensured that important habitats and species were not affected by the construction of the wind farm, so a host of biodiversity protection and enhancement measures have been put in place to ensure local wildlife prospers alongside the new farm.
The move comes from Nestlé’s commitment to have 100% of its electricity sourced from renewable sources within the ‘shortest practical timescale’. While the group met this target in 2016, it continues to lead the way in sustainable electricity in Ireland and the UK.
In April, Nestlé announced its goal to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025, so that none of its packaging, including plastics, "ends up in landfill or as litter".
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
