EDF brokers renewable energy supply deal for renowned Scottish whisky distilleries
Ultra-premium spirits business, Edrington, has signed up to a four-year deal with EDF that will see their business supplied with 100% renewable energy from October 2021.
Energy Edge Consulting, Edrington’s energy advisor, worked with EDF to structure the agreement which will help Edrington meet its sustainability needs and support their ambition of being carbon neutral by 2030.
This will mean that all Edrington’s Scottish distilleries, The Macallan, Highland Park and The Glenrothes, as well as their production sites including The Clyde Cooperage and Great Western Road bottling facility will be supplied with energy produced by wind turbines.
Through this agreement the entire 50GWh of power output from six wind turbines at Wardlaw Wood Wind Farm located outside Dalry, North Ayrshire, will be provided each year to Edrington distilleries - plus joint venture North British Distillery sites in Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Wardlaw Wood Wind Farm was developed, built and is operated by the Community Windpower Group.
Renewable forms of energy, such as wind power, are an essential part of efforts to tackle climate change and in helping Britain achieving Net Zero. EDF provides a range of innovative route to market solutions to over 8TWh of independent generators across the UK that enable them to optimise returns from their investments. This includes the market leading provision of tailored corporate renewable supply solutions, meeting the needs of both business energy consumers and renewable generators.
EDF’s Managing Director, Customers, Philippe Commaret, said: “Thanks to our long-held expertise in sustainable energy, we’ve been able to deliver a great deal for Edrington’s Scottish distilleries, which will be supplied with local, Scottish renewable energy.
“At EDF, our purpose is to help Britain achieve Net Zero and helping our customers reduce their carbon footprints is intrinsic to this commitment. This announcement marks the start of an exciting partnership which will see us working with Edrington to support them with their sustainability goals.”
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.
“Our aim has always been to develop, build and operate assets which help Scotland deliver on its world leading climate change targets. Through our “Buy Scottish” policy we prioritise investment in the Scottish economy across our Group, and this agreement with Edrington is further evidence of our commitment to Scottish businesses.
“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.”
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.”
Co-Founder of Energy Edge Consulting, Brian Walker, said: “Our clients, Edrington, had specific goals of a longer-term energy agreement that met their sustainable energy targets. Therefore, we are delighted to be working with EDF and utilising their commercial energy expertise, whilst matching the distilleries to a local windfarm. This is the start of an exciting future for Edrington and their Net Zero ambitions and we are delighted to have been part of the journey.”
For further information please contact media@edfenergy.com or 01452 652233.
About EDF
EDF is helping Britain achieve Net Zero by leading the transition to a cleaner, low emission electric future and tackling climate change. We are Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, meeting around one-fifth of the country’s demand and supplying millions of customers with electricity and gas.
With around 5 million accounts, EDF is one of the largest suppliers to British homes and businesses and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. All of our home customers get energy tariffs backed by zero carbon electricity as standard.
We generate low carbon electricity from eight nuclear power stations, more than thirty onshore wind farms and two offshore wind farms, and operate one of Britain’s biggest battery storage units, one gas and one coal power station, thousands of EV charge-points, and combined heat and power plants. Wind, nuclear and solar all produce electricity that is zero carbon at the point of generation and have similar emissions over the build, run and retire lifecycles.
EDF is leading the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C, and is leading the development of plans for a replica at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes.
EDF is one of the UK’s largest investors in renewables, with 1GW of renewable generation in operation and over 4GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage. We are constructing our largest offshore wind farm in Britain – the 450 MW Neart na Gaoithe project in Scotland which will be ready in 2023.
Our energy services business, Imtech, is one of the largest technical service providers in the UK and Ireland.
EDF is part of EDF Group, the world’s biggest electricity generator. In the UK we employ around 13,000 people.
About Community WindPower
Community Windpower Ltd (CWL) is at the forefront of Net Zero energy development in Scotland with over 1.5 GW of renewable energy projects which are operational, under construction or in development. Operating for over 20 years, we are committed to “Buying Scottish” and investing in both local and wider Scottish Economy creating jobs and economic development.
CWL pride themselves on working with local host Communities throughout every stage of the project, ensuring they benefit directly from the wind farm through our community benefit funding and the development of long-term community assets, such as the Girl Guide Activity Centre and a new Scout Hall both located in Dalry, close to the Wind Farm supplying Edrington Group.
To date, approximately £6m of grants has been invested with Communities in Scotland.
Our aim is to work with local Communities and businesses across Scotland, to invest in green sustainable technologies supporting Scotland to deliver its Net-Zero target by 2030.
Our 'Buy Scottish' policy is a crucial component of all of our projects, as we maintain our commitment to Scotland and its green energy industry, and are set to invest over £2 billion in the Scottish economy.
About Edrington
Edrington’s vision is to give more by building exceptional ultra-premium spirit brands. Our strategy is to become the world’s best at crafting exceptional spirit brands that are loved by consumers. The Macallan is our central focus, supported by Highland Park and The Glenrothes in the fast-growing single malt category and Naked in the blended malt category. Our portfolio is completed with The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky and Brugal premium rum from the Dominican Republic. Edrington also has strategic partnerships with Tequila Partida and Wyoming Whiskey in the tequila and American whisky categories.
Edrington is headquartered in Scotland and employs over 3,500 people in its wholly owned and joint venture companies, with over 70% employed overseas. We own our route to market in 15 countries and distribute our brands to more than 100 countries around the world through joint ventures and third-party agreements.
Edrington owns a 50% share of North British Distillery in Edinburgh and West Lothian.
Our principal shareholder is The Robertson Trust, which has donated £301 million to charitable causes in Scotland since 1961. Our business is underpinned by the Edrington values of giving, respect, integrity, and excellence.
About Energy Edge
Energy Edge has been providing customized energy solutions for large industrial, commercial, and institutional organizations for over twelve years. With a focus on renewable energy advisory services, energy procurement, risk management, and demand response services, Energy Edge works with its clients to develop and implement a comprehensive energy management strategy. With over 4.7 TWh of electricity and over 1.8 TWh of natural gas under management, Energy Edge is one of leading energy advisory firms in the United Kingdom and North American markets. Energy Edge has offices in Edinburgh, Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles.