In a first for larger-sized breweries in the UK, HEINEKEN’s John Smith’s Brewery, located in North Yorkshire, will be fuelled by solar energy. The installation, which was unveiled earlier this week, utilises an array consisting of more than 4,000 solar panels. The energy generated is sufficient to power 185 homes.
“We are really proud that Tadcaster is now home to the biggest solar panel installation at any brewery in the UK," said Martin Kochl, Tadcaster’s brewery manager. "Sourcing the power we need to make our beers and cider from renewable energy sources like solar energy helps us to reduce the environmental impact of our business and forms a key part of our sustainability programme, 'Brewing a Better World.' ”
Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, who was also on hand for the launch, said HEINEKEN’s investment represents a strong endorsement of the role renewable energy can play in the community. "This is a truly innovative and exciting development for the brewery and wider Tadcaster area, which I welcome whole-heartedly," he said.
According to Dany de Zeeuw, sales director at SolarAccess Sustainable Energy -- the designer and developer behind the solar panels -- Tadcaster will be the sixth solar project the company has installed on a HEINEKEN brewery worldwide.