British soft drink producer Britvic signs 10-year solar power purchase agreement with Atrato Onsite Energy
UK – Britvic, a British producer of soft drinks, has signed a 10-year Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) with solar energy provider Atrato Onsite Energy.
The PPA ensures a reliable and cost-effective source of green energy for Britvic’s production facilities, reducing its carbon footprint and advancing its sustainability objectives.
The partnership will include the installation of a new station in Northamptonshire, that will generate energy exclusively for Britvic.
The solar will have a total capacity of 28MW and will be capable of generating 33.3 GWh pa of clean energy, the equivalent of powering 11,500 homes or planting 260,000 trees. Atrato has fully financed the solar installation, which is expected to be commissioned in early 2024.
The green energy will be enough to power 75% of Britvic’s current operations in Great Britain, including its Beckton and Leeds factories, which can produce 2,000 bottles per minute of brands such as Tango, Pepsi, and Robinsons.
Britvic explained that Atrato will supply Britvic with solar electricity that is commercialized on a pay-as-you-generate basis but is delivered on a base-load basis that is consistent with the consumption needs of the company.
Matt Swindall, Chief Procurement Officer at Britvic said: “This deal represents a significant milestone for Britvic as we continue to partner with home-grown renewable energy projects to power our business.
“The 10-year deal also establishes stability, enabling us to plan more efficiently over the coming years. In short, it’s great for our Healthier Planet sustainability ambitions, and great for the business.”
Besides reducing Britvic’s carbon emissions, the initiative contributes to the overall decarbonization of the energy sector. It also encourages the growth and adoption of renewable energy technologies, driving investment and innovation in the renewable energy market.
Britvic says it is tackling its carbon footprint ‘head on through innovation, low carbon technology, and energy sources, and establishing a more sustainable supply chain’.
It has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050, having already reduced direct carbon emissions by 24% since 2017. In 2022, 57% of its energy needs came from renewable sources, up from 28% in 2018.
In the 19 months since its IPO, London-headquartered Atrato has built a portfolio of 40 solar sites across the UK.
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