Sainsbury completes onshore windfarm registering a significant milestone with the completion of the Longhill Burn Wind Farm in Scotland. The wind farm, featuring state-of-the-art wind turbines, will contribute up to 50 megawatts (MW) of electrical capacity to the national grid as renewable energy. This achievement aligns with Sainsbury’s ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions in its own operations by 2035.
The Longhill Burn Wind Farm
The Longhill Burn Wind Farm, located in West Calder, Scotland, began construction in 2021 when Sainsbury’s signed an agreement with Capital Dynamics to purchase 100% of the electricity it generates. Over the next 15 years, Sainsbury’s plans to invest millions of pounds in the renewable energy generated by the wind farm.
The wind farm is equipped with eight cutting-edge wind turbines designed and delivered by Siemens Gamesa. These turbines are remarkable for their size, with blades measuring an impressive 76 meters in length and towering over 200 meters at their highest point. Each turbine has a maximum output ranging from 6 to 6.4 MW, making them the largest and most powerful onshore wind turbines available in the UK.
Sainsbury’s Commitment to Sustainability
When all the turbines are operating at maximum capacity, they will collectively provide up to 33% of Sainsbury’s total electricity needs. Over the course of a year, they are expected to produce approximately 150,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity. This output is enough to power around 55,000 average UK homes or continuously light 300,000 60-watt light bulbs.
The Longhill Burn Wind Farm marks the seventh wind farm from which Sainsbury’s purchases 100% of the energy generated, with an eighth site set to go live in the coming year. This commitment to renewable energy dates back to 2008 when Sainsbury’s became the first UK retailer to directly purchase wind power for its estate.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Property, Procurement, and EV Ventures, expressed pride in the company’s investment in this state-of-the-art, sustainable source of wind power. He highlighted that the completion of the Longhill Burn Wind Farm represents a significant step in reducing Sainsbury’s carbon footprint.
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Partnerships and Operations Management
The Longhill Burn Wind Farm project was developed in partnership with Energiekontor AG, responsible for overseeing the construction and the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the wind farm. The project benefits from the extensive operations management experience of Capital Dynamics and Energiekontor.
This achievement at Longhill Burn Wind Farm adds to Sainsbury’s growing list of sustainability initiatives. The retailer has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability through various efforts, including the introduction of a lower-carbon beef range, increased investment in dairy farmers, and reducing plastic waste in its packaging.
As Sainsbury’s continues to make strides in renewable energy, the completion of the Longhill Burn Wind Farm signifies a significant contribution to the company’s sustainability goals and its commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
