Coca-Cola production switches to 100% renewable electricity
A brand new solar farm has been launched to support production of Coca-Cola as the business announced it has begun sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources.
Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) has switched to sourcing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, it announced today.
Supplied by EDF Energy, the 100% renewable electricity package will comply with Ofgem’s Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin scheme, certifying the proportion of electricity sourced from renewable generation.
The package is also fully compliant with the emissions reporting guidelines set out within the global Greenhouse Gas Protocol.
Head of Sustainability at Coca-Cola European Partners Nick Brown described the move as a “major step forward”.
The news coincides with the launch of a major renewable project by CCEP, with all electricity generated by a brand new solar farm being used to support production of its famous brands at Europe’s largest soft drinks factory, in Wakefield.
The solar panels have been installed by solar PV specialists, Athos Solar, on fields belonging to local landowner and businessman, Stephen Butterfield. The site will also maintain dual-use as grazing land for animals such as sheep.
Mr Brown said: “At CCEP we are committed to minimising the impact of our operations, with a core goal to reduce the carbon footprint of the drink in the consumers’ hand by a third in time for 2020. By guaranteeing that 100% of the electricity we use comes from renewable sources we’re taking a major step forward in achieving this.
“The Wakefield solar farm is a long-term sustainability project for CCEP, capable of producing up to 5MW of energy at full capacity. We’ve been collaborating with partners across GB to build our renewable energy credentials and have enjoyed working together with a number of local groups and businesses in Wakefield to support this.”
Associate Director at the Carbon Trust John Newton added: “Working with CCEP over the past decade, the company has continuously made impressive reductions in its environmental impact, at the same time as taking a strong leadership position on sustainability issues. This new move to purchase renewable electricity is yet another positive step forwards from the company, demonstrating that the business case for going low carbon is no barrier to commercial success.”
Mr Butterfield branded the decision to support local manufacturing as “fantastic”.
“As a resident and business owner near Wakefield, I’m very excited to be working with one of the world’s largest brands on such a worthwhile initiative, harnessing renewable energy from Yorkshire to bring soft drinks to people across the country.”
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