One million kWh of solar energy now powering Brakes’ Aylesford depot

Brakes has taken the next step in its ambitious plans to harness natural energy across its estate with a solar array at its Aylesford depot.

The new 2,400 solar panel system will provide  one million kWh of renewable energy – almost a quarter of the site’s energy requirement – and will save the equivalent of approximately 200 tonnes of carbon every year. It is the latest step towards the science-based targets set out by Sysco, Brakes’ parent company, to cut carbon emissions by 27.5% between 2019 and 2030, and to move to 100% renewable electricity.

The Aylesford project follows a successful installation at Brakes’ Harlow depot last year and is part of a phased programme that will see the company generate renewable energy at sites across Great Britain.

Peter Owen, Sysco GB engineering & environment director, said: “We are helping to meet Sysco’s challenging global carbon reduction goals by tackling the energy consumption in our own transport and infrastructure here in Britain.

“We’ve seen this work well in Harlow with our first 1MW solar array. Our ambition is to roll this out and install solar wherever possible across our estate – generating our own source of renewable, clean energy. This is key to our decarbonisation strategy.”

Published Date: June 7, 2023