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Matching Scotch Whisky distilleries to a local renewable energy source

By Talk Power Team | Posted August 11, 2021

More and more businesses are putting sustainability at the heart of their decisions. As energy powers every business, many are looking to supply their operations with renewable energy, and they want to know exactly where this energy is coming from. 

Through years of experience working regularly with renewable generators of all shapes and sizes, EDF is perfectly placed to match businesses with the best renewable energy source to meet their needs. And this is exactly what EDF was able to achieve with ultra-premium spirits business, Edrington and Community Windpower Group, based in Scotland.

 

Here’s how we achieved it

Edrington, whose spirits brands include Single Malt Scotch Whiskies, The Macallan, Highland Park and The Glenrothes, and The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky, intends to be carbon neutral by 2030. A critical factor in achieving this target was to supply their distilleries with electricity from an entirely renewable, local source. It was important to Edrington that their energy came from a single, identified wind asset, which would meet their entire consumption demand each year, for the full duration of the contract.

Energy Edge Consulting, Edrington’s energy advisor, worked with EDF to structure an agreement that will help the distilleries meet their sustainability needs.

Edrington were looking for a partner making investments in wind power generation in Scotland and EDF was able to match the company to an independently owned Scottish wind farm, operated by Community Windpower Group. Working closely with all parties, EDF ensured the required Purchase Power Agreement (PPA) and renewable supply agreement were in place to support the delivery of over 50GWh of wind power to the distilleries each year.

A four-year agreement will see wind power being supplied to the whisky distilleries and other production sites in Scotland, from six turbines at Wardlaw Wood Wind Farm located outside Dalry, North Ayrshire. The power generated by the wind farm will cover 100% of the electricity consumed by the distilleries until 2025. This partnership provides Edrington with the certainty of knowing the exact source of their energy for the distilleries and enables them to report zero carbon emissions from their purchased energy.

 

Edrington’s Head of Carbon Reduction, Graham MacWilliam said:

“Edrington is committed to becoming a carbon neutral business by 2030 for our distilleries, offices and travel, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% compared to 2016 levels.

“We’re really excited to sign this deal with EDF and see this as an important step forward in our sustainability journey.”

 

Community Windpower’s Managing Director, Rod Wood, said:

“We are delighted to supply home grown green electricity to such an iconic Scottish brand in the pursuit of its sustainability ambitions.

“EDF’s strong relationships with Scottish businesses such as Edrington ensures our energy is not only meeting local needs but is helping a leading Scottish business achieve its own sustainability goals.”

 

Contact us


We understand how important it is for every business to have a zero carbon electricity contract that suits their needs and for every generator to secure a PPA that best works for them.
To find out more about how EDF’s team of experts can work with you to find the right solution, please get in touch via email at: export@edfenergy.com