Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-Europe) has installed a rooftop solar plant at its glass facility in Irvine, Scotland, UK.
AGP said that the plant is now generating on-site renewable electricity; this will add enough electricity back to the grid to remove the equivalent of an estimated 356 tonnes of CO2e annually.
Working together with energy partner ESB Energy, AGP installed a 1.75 MWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system of 3842 panels on two warehouse roofs at the facility.
This will generate approximately 1,584 MWh of electricity each year, to support the site’s production of over 350 million glass bottles.
Graeme Shepherd, Plant Director at AGP-Irvine, said: “This solar installation is another step forward in enhancing the sustainability of our operations at Irvine, as well as reducing the amount of electricity we take from the grid.
"It shows our commitment to decarbonising the glass containers we produce, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and excellence.”
Annelene Ikemann, Sustainability Director, AGP-Europe, added: “The Irvine installation achieves another step in our decarbonisation strategy.
"It is one of three AGP-Europe on-site sustainable solar projects that, together, are expected to replace more than 12,000 MWh of electricity consumption from the grid, avoiding the release of c. 5,000 tons of carbon emissions per year.”
During the summer months, the solar panels will provide up to 25% of AGP-Irvine's total electricity usage.
The remaining renewable electricity used at the facility will continue to be supplied by a third party.
