GWP Group has invested £235,000 to install solar panels at its Cricklade manufacturing site.
The Wiltshire-based packaging business, which was established in 1990, expects the installation of the 380kW solar PV system to generate 40% of its electricity requirements moving forward.
GWP, which designs and manufactures a range of protective packaging, commissioned renewable energy experts Clean Earth to supply and manage the installation of the solar panels.
The installation, completed in early July, should result in carbon savings of approximately 70 tonnes per year and 1,750 tonnes over the system’s expected 25-year lifespan.
Having become part of Macfarlane Packaging in 2021 years ago, GWP has renewed its focus on minimising the environmental impact of its operations to support the Group’s Environment, Social and Governance strategy.
Ruth Cook, Managing Director at GWP, said, “As part of the packaging industry we have always been focused on how we can reduce the environmental impact of our customers’ packaging and this project will be a real step forward for our own business.
“The carbon-free energy provided by installing these solar panels will have a significant impact on the sustainability of our operations.”
David Patton, Head of Sustainability at parent company Macfarlane Packaging, added, “A key area we are focused on across our business is to maximise the energy we use that is from renewable sources. One of the ways we are doing this is through the installation of solar panels across our Group operations. It made complete sense to undertake our next installation at GWP, where many customers are already receiving packaging delivered by our fully electric delivery vans.”
