Wakefield factory’s £42m green upgrade revealed
Wakefield’s Coca Cola factory is cutting emissions with a £42m investment in greener technology.
The site’s solar farm, electric vehicles and new automated storage system were showcased during a visit by the Government’s Clean Power 2030 mission.
Chris Stark, the Government official leading the delivery of its Clean Power 2030 ambitions, visited the site as part of efforts to understand how industry is preparing for the shift to cleaner energy.
The 8.1MW solar farm provides around 20 per cent of the site’s electricity demand.
The plant is also powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, with further measures including electric forklift trucks and three rail loading bays aimed at reducing emissions from manufacturing and logistics.
The £42.3 million automated storage and retrieval system has expanded storage capacity at the site.
Joe Franses, vice president of sustainability at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, said: “Wakefield is a great example of how we're reducing emissions across our operations, from using renewable electricity and generating around 20 per cent of the site's power through the neighbouring solar farm, to electrifying our forklift truck fleet.
“Alongside this, we're investing in water replenishment projects that support local communities.”
He added: “It was great to welcome Chris to see that progress first-hand and discuss how government and industry can continue working together to accelerate the UK's clean power ambitions.”
The visit also highlighted a further £2.5 million investment in a Yorkshire water replenishment partnership with The Coca-Cola Company and Calder Rivers Trust.
The factory is one of Europe’s biggest soft drinks manufacturing sites by volume.
It has operated in Wakefield since 1989 and supplies Coca-Cola products across the UK.
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