Vale of Mowbray adds solar array to green credentials

Yorkshire pie maker Vale of Mowbray has installed a solar panel array on its factory roof as part of a drive to make its manufacturing process more sustainable.

The move follows previous environmental efforts by the company including the introduction of greener packaging alternatives and a policy of ‘zero waste to landfill’.

According to Vale of Mowbray, the installation of the solar panels by energy specialist Eden Sustainable means that a minimum of 14% of the manufacturer’s annual electricity usage will be solar generated, with the capability to generate 997KW of energy per annum. The company’s sustainability drive also entails the constant energy monitoring for approximately 40% of its site’s key assets to gain a greater understanding of usage patterns.

“Eden Sustainable is delighted to work with flagship organisations such as Vale of Mowbray,” said Scott Burrows, director of the energy company. “We have all seen power prices increasing dramatically, and solar is an excellent way to provide increased certainty around energy overheads. Vale of Mowbray has made the most of Eden’s zero capital solution, meaning there are no initial or ongoing costs, whilst still benefitting from dramatic financial and carbon savings.

“Eden develops, constructs, and operates the power plant,” Burrows added. “Atrato are our specialist funders with close links to the supermarket industry, so it is a match made in heaven, or should I say Yorkshire.”

Vale of Mowbray, which was established in 1795, bakes more than 1.5 million pies every week. Based at Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, the company employs over 200 people and is currently recruiting for permanent staff members.

The company has announced that it has a number of ‘exciting NPD projects’ in the pipeline, with products set to launch in the coming months. In February the pork pie specialist unveiled a three-strong range of ‘posh pies’, listed in Morrisons.