SHINING A LIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY: SOLAR PV PROJECT AT RENOLIT IN CRAMLINGTON
At RENOLIT, we’re committed to shaping a more sustainable future. Our latest milestone? A fully funded solar PV project at our Cramlington site in the UK that’s setting new standards for energy efficiency and carbon reduction. A Powerful Partnership for a Greener Tomorrow When RENOLIT UK wanted to significantly cut carbon emissions, reduce energy costs, and boost on-site generation, without the requirement to use any of their capital, they knew that collaboration was key. Together with Zestec Renewable Energy, Seed Renewables Limited, and Octopus Energy Generation, they’ve implemented a 1.76 MWp solar solution producing 1.47 GWh of electricity annually that combines rooftop and carport solar arrays, along with an integrated EV charging infrastructure. The results speak for themselves: • 331 tonnes of CO₂ reduction forecast in the first year • 97% of generated solar power used directly on site
could still use the car park throughout the project.
“The project is a combination of engineering passion, excellent teamwork and a can-do attitude to solve some of the technical challenges a complex, busy manufacturing site presents,” says Russ Kelsall, Project Manager at Zestec Renewable Energy. The finished project includes a rooftop solar array with a capacity of 900 kWp and a carport array in the staff car park that adds another 866 kWp. We also installed EV charging stations to help us use even more of our own renewable energy for our growing fleet of electric vehicles. A Model for Sustainable Operations By adopting a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) model, RENOLIT benefits from clean, on- site electricity generation – without upfront investment. With a PPA, a third-party provider finances, installs, and maintains the solar PV system, while RENOLIT purchases the generated electricity at a predetermined rate, typically lower than standard grid prices. This approach not only strengthens our operational resilience and reduces our carbon footprint but also supports our long- term sustainability goals by allowing us to access renewable energy in a cost-effective and risk-free way. “This solar PV project marks a significant milestone for our site and RENOLIT’s sustainability journey. It has been inspiring to see so many teams and partners come together, overcome challenges, and deliver a solution that benefits both our business and the environment. We’re proud to lead by example, demonstrating what can be achieved when innovation and teamwork go hand in hand,” says Simon Wilson Managing Director at RENOLIT UK For further information please contact RENOLIT UK Ltd (renolit.uk@renolit.com) or call 01670 718222.
• Cost savings already being realised
• Improved long term energy resilience
• Reduced reliance on the national grid
• Engineering Excellence Meets Smart Planning
This project came with a few challenges. For example, we needed to keep the car park accessible while work was underway, and we had to strengthen the warehouse roof before installing the solar panels. Our teams managed these tasks by planning carefully and working closely together. We scheduled the roof and construction work during regular maintenance shutdowns, so there was as little disruption as possible. At the same time, we organized the work in phases to make sure staff
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