Bernard Matthews ‘big green plan’ on target to achieve carbon zero by 2020

The UK’s most famous turkey farmer has embarked on a large-scale, carbon reduction scheme across 11 of their farms in East Anglia
By: RenEnergy and Bernard Matthews
 
NORWICH, U.K. - May 11, 2015 - PRLog -- ·      Norfolk based firm RenEnergy is installing a total of 2.5 MW of Solar PV across 11 farms, generating up to 50% of each site’s electricity demand, and cutting their carbon footprint by more than 1200 tonnes per year.

·      Stuart Read, Procurement Category Managerat Bernard Matthews: “We are hoping to reduce our carbon footprint 100% by 2020. This project is going a long way to meeting that target”.

·      Damian Baker, MD of RenEnergy said “It’s fantastic to work on such a pivotal project with a high-profile, forward thinking organisation like Bernard Matthews. They have recognised the inherent financial and environmental benefits of renewable energy, and are leading the way for other businesses to follow”.

NORWICH, NORFOLK – May 2015: Bernard Mathews (BM), the largest turkey producer in the UK, has broken ground on the next phase of its large-scale carbon cutting exercise.

By 2020, BM is aiming to have reduced its carbon footprint to zero. A goal it hopes to achieve in part with the installation of 2.5MW of solar PV across 11 farms.

The key driver in the decision was ensuring a greener future for the company, but the greatly reduced running costs are a welcome bonus. Stuart Read Procurement Category Manager opted for

Solar “as a safe, non-contentious, low maintenance and low intrusion option that suits our specific energy needs. We will benefit from lower operating costs for years to come.”

RenEnergy has been contracted to finance, design, supply and install 19 roof and ground mounted arrays, consisting of 10,000 PV panels paired with 110 inverters, generating an estimated 2.3 million kWh of energy per year.

“The technical challenges we have encountered are no different than any number of agricultural projects we have completed in the past, but operationally working around the critical timetables of numerous active poultry farms has been tough. Fortunately we have been aided by the excellent support of the farm managers, allowing us to minimise any onsite disturbance to the workers or birds.” Damian Baker MD of RenEnergy.

Following the switch on of the first system in late March, BM have seen a reduction in grid electricity of 30%, with the site operating self-sufficiently for significant periods of the day. At this one site this saves a whole year’s worth of CO2 emissions from a family car every two weeks.

Phase two of development is following on from the successful installation of 229 biomass boilers and two large-scale solar farms totalling 11MW that formed the first phase of the big green plan.

RenEnergy, who offer a range of renewable technologies to customers across the East of England and South Africa, have been working in conjunction with a London based funder to deliver the project. The ground mount frame design is bespoke; designed specifically for RenEnergy by Wymondham-based firm Hi-Span. The proprietary frame ensures maximum use of the available space.

The installations will use ReneSola PV panels and inverters from the industry-leading Austrian manufacturer Fronius. "Design was key, and was carried out in conjunction with Bernard Matthews agriculture team to get the correct size system to ensure as much on-site usage as possible. Maximising usage year-on-year provides a higher return and increases reliability of the system” commented Mr. Baker.

Businesses, homeowners or communities wishing to know more about the local generation of renewable energy can visit www.renenergy.co.uk to find out more.

ENDS

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Notes for editors

Established in 2006, RenEnergy takes a holistic approach to the installation of renewable technologies as they offer a mixture of all the leading technologies to best meet the individual needs of homeowners, businesses or whole communities. They have access to a range of solutions from leading manufacturers so they can offer the most appropriate solution whatever the size of the property involved.

RenEnergy are able to finance, design, supply and install systems that include photovoltaic solar panels, solar thermal panels, wind turbines, ground and air source heat pumps, biomass heating, rainwater harvesting and underfloor heating. RenEnergy are an Approved Installer for heat pumps, solar thermal and photovoltaic systems as part of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, MCS certificate number MCS1130.

For further details contact:
RenEnergy Headquarters,

Woodbastwick Road,

Blofield Heath,

Norwich,

NR13 4RR

Tom Lloyd

Direct dial: 01603 713448

Email: tlloyd@renenergy.co.uk

Media Contact
RenEnergy
tlloyd@renenergy.co.uk
End
Source:RenEnergy and Bernard Matthews
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Tags:Solar, pv, Renewable Energy, Solar Panels, Poultry Farming
Industry:Agriculture, Energy
Location:Norwich - Norfolk - England
Subject:Projects
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