Liverpool city region renewables installer Shawton Energy secures large-scale rooftop solar energy installation for food and drink group Princes. Tony McDonough reports

Shawton Energy is to deliver a large-scale rooftop solar energy installation for international food and drink group Princes.

Newton-le-Willows-based Shawton is teaming up with logistics specialist Knowles Logistics on the project. Knowles operates the distribution centre at Wisbech in Cambridgeshire for Princes.

Knowles is committed to ensuring its logistics operations are sustainable and progressing towards its target of net zero in warehousing and transport by 2030 and 2045, respectively. This solar installation is forecasted to save 135 tonnes a year of CO2.

Jamie Shaw, chief executive at Shawton Energy, said: “Supporting clients with their green agenda is something we’re proud to be involved in.

“We have a deep understanding of solar within warehousing and food manufacturing sites and can provide tailored, innovative solutions for businesses committed to a greener future.

“Food manufacturers work hard to source and package food in a sustainable way, so it’s only natural that logistics firms want to provide their customers with sites that can run via clean, renewable energy.”

This solar installation will contribute to Princes’ 2030GreenGoals initiative, which outlines the group’s ambition to become a carbon neutral manufacturing business across its UK and international operations by 2030.

Shawton Energy employs 200 people and aims to deliver more than £100m worth of investment into high-quality rooftop solar energy projects over the next three years. Other clients include Heinz, Nestle, and hotels groups such as IHG and Hilton.

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Late in 2023, Shawton went into co-ownership with Lazard Asset Management – a global investment business – to drive the roll-out of fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) projects for industrial and commercial clients across the UK.

Jamie added: “Mounting pressure and expectation from retailers and consumers is also driving sustainable supply chain practices forward.

“As more major supermarkets look to decrease their value chain emissions, and reduce their environmental footprint, Scope 3 Emissions will continue to become a bigger topic for food manufacturers and the sites where they operate.”