Cornish Premier Pasties, one of Cornwall’s biggest pasty producers, is reducing its carbon emissions after investing more than £135,000 in solar power.
The business has had 320 solar panels installed on its bakery in St Columb near Newquay as part of a 131.2kw system that will save over 50 tonnes of CO2 per year. It will provide at least 20% of the factory’s energy over the year, and on a sunny day last month the solar panels were producing 98% of its power.
“As a manufacturing business, we’re very aware of our energy consumption and carbon footprint, so for us it was important we took steps to help protect our planet’s future,” said Cornish Premier Pasties managing director Mark Norton.
“Installing our own green energy sources on the roof of our factory is one initiative that we’re undertaking to reduce our carbon footprint, in line with the business’ strategic plan.”
Established in 2007, Cornish Premier Pasties produces more than 40,000 savoury pastry products a day and employs 64 local people. It was acquired by Norton in 2020 and, combined with its sister business Prima Bakeries, the group is the fourth largest manufacturer of Cornish pasties.
The solar panel project has been supported by Ignition Credit, a UK asset finance provider based in Truro, and was installed by Bristol-based Solarsense.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Ignition and Solarsense – the project has showcased the best of southwest business partnerships and we’re incredibly thankful to those involved, for making it happen,” added Norton.
Eleanor Smith, business development manager at Ignition, said the system was set to deliver “considerable cost savings in the long-term, while helping to meet Cornish Premier Pasties’ aspirations to become more environmentally sustainable”.
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