Diageo announces solar energy plans for Leven site

Diageo is pushing forward with plans for a major on-site solar energy farm at its Leven packaging plant in Fife.

The company has applied to Fife Council for planning permission to build the farm, which would comprise 12,000 solar panels capable of producing 4MW of electricity, on a vacant plot at its 150-acre packaging plant.

Diageo has worked with energy company E.ON and Scottish business Emtec Energy to develop the plans, which are part of its ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its direct operations by 2030.

Gavin Brogan, operations director at Leven Packaging Plant, said: "We have been on the journey to environmental sustainability at Leven for many years and we have made great progress, but this solar array would take us to another level, allowing us to generate our own renewable energy on-site and contributing to Diageo's global ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

"We have planned this carefully and we are happy to engage our neighbours and local stakeholders during the planning application process."

The solar farm forms part of Diageo's Spirit of Progress 10-year sustainability action plan, which includes goals to switch to 100 per cent renewable energy and supporting suppliers to reduce indirect carbon emissions by 50 per cent.

For detailed information about the planning application and to submit planning-related enquiries, please visit: https://www.cogeo.co.uk/consultation/diageo-scotland-ltd

4 August 2021 - Bethany Whymark