Premier Foods has completed a £2.1 million solar energy project at its Carlton Bakery, marking a significant shift toward on-site renewable generation within the UK’s food manufacturing sector.
The 2.2MW solar farm, built on unused land at the Nottinghamshire site, covers 2.9 hectares and includes 3,500 panels. When fully operational, it will generate up to 75% of the site’s electricity demand at peak production, cutting energy costs and strengthening supply resilience.
The facility, which employs around 1,000 people at peak periods, is one of Premier Foods’ largest manufacturing sites. The solar installation is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 468 tonnes and forms part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy, the Enriching Life Plan.
Nick Brown, ESG Director at Premier Foods, said: “Our Carlton Bakery was the largest purpose-build bakery in the world when it opened in the 1970s, and it remains the biggest bakery in the UK. This investment ensures it’s part of a more sustainable future. By generating more of our energy needs on site, we’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but making our operations even more resilient. It’s also positive that the solar farm has the capability to potentially export electricity back into the local electricity grid, when we are producing more electricity than we need. This project is a key step in helping us deliver on our Enriching Life Plan commitments to cut emissions and reach net zero – delivering real environmental benefits for the local community and our business as a whole.”
Similar projects are being rolled out across other Premier Foods sites, including £0.5 million solar systems at Stoke and Ashford. Together, these initiatives aim to improve operational efficiency, reduce energy dependence, and advance the company’s net-zero goals.
The Carlton Bakery project also integrates a ten-year biodiversity plan developed with local ecology experts. This includes planting schemes around the site to support wildlife habitats and enhance the surrounding environment.