Britvic Drink Manufacturer Taps Solar Farm to Meet 75% of Electricity Needs

Feb. 2, 2024
Britvic, known for producing Pepsi Max, 7-Up, and Lipton Iced Tea, will partner with a 160-acre solar farm in Northamptonshire to meet 75% of manufacturing electricity needs

Britvic, a manufacturer in Great Britain known for producing a variety of drinks, including Pepsi Max, 7-Up, and Lipton Iced Tea, will receive 75% of its manufacturing electricity needs from a 160-acre solar farm located in Northamptonshire.

Through a 10-year solar power agreement, Britvic’s factories in Rugby, London, and Leeds will receive three-quarters of their electricity needs from the solar farm with the aim of reaching 100% solar-powered operations in the near future.

“This is an exciting opportunity to ensure that some of the country’s most recognizable and much-loved soft drinks are powered by renewable energy,” said Sarah Webster, Britvic’s Director of Sustainable Business. “We know consumers want to buy more sustainable products, and this is another step towards reducing carbon emissions and our long-term sustainability targets.”

The solar site, established by renewables provider Atrato Onsite Energy, was commissioned in January 2024 on a former quarry site deemed unsuitable for farming. It features double-sided solar panels that use tracking devices to follow the sun and increase efficiency by 10%.

In total, the solar project generates 3.1 GW of energy – enough to power 11,500 homes.

The renewable energy used by Britvic will cut the company’s manufacturing supply chain carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 1,113 tons annually – the equivalent of planting 260,000 trees.

Eventually, Atrato will scale up operations at the solar site to produce 28 GWh to help Britvic reach its long-term commitment of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

About the Author

Breanna Sandridge, Senior Editor

Breanna Sandridge is senior editor for EnergyTech and Microgrid Knowledge, both part of the energy group at Endeavor Business Media.

Prior to that, Breanna was managing editor for Machinery Lubrication and Reliable Plant magazines, both part of Noria Corp. She has two years experience covering the industrial sector.

She also is a 2021 graduate of Northeastern State University (Oklahoma) with a Bachelor's in English. 

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