Diageo has lodged a planing application for a new on-site solar energy farm at its Leven packaging plant in Fife. If rubber stamped, the plans would see 12,000 solar panels installed on vacant land at the 150-acre plant that would produce 4 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
It’s part of Diageo’s plan to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its direct operations by 2030.
It will be built within the existing footprint of the Leven packaging plant site – produces 40 million cases of spirits each year – and has been planned to ensure minimal visual and environmental impact on the surrounding area.
The group says that is has so far reduced half of the carbon in its operations already, the business aims to remove the rest by 2030, harnessing 100% renewable energy everywhere it operates.It has also committed to partnering with suppliers to halve indirect carbon emissions.
Diageo says that in Scotland alone, its Scotch whisky distilleries Oban, Royal Lochnagar and Brora have already achieved net zero carbon emissions.