Ultra-premium spirits business, Edrington, has signed up to a four-year deal with EDF that will see their business supplied with 100% renewable energy from October 2021.

Energy Edge Consulting, Edrington’s energy advisor, worked with EDF to structure the agreement which will help Edrington meet its sustainability needs and support their ambition of being carbon neutral by 2030.

This will mean that all Edrington’s Scottish distilleries, The Macallan, Highland Park and The Glenrothes, as well as their production sites including The Clyde Cooperage and Great Western Road bottling facility will be supplied with energy produced by wind turbines.

Through this agreement the entire 50GWh of power output from six wind turbines at Wardlaw Wood Wind Farm located outside Dalry, North Ayrshire, will be provided each year to Edrington distilleries - plus joint venture North British Distillery sites in Edinburgh and West Lothian.

Wardlaw Wood Wind Farm was developed, built and is operated by the Community Windpower Group.

Renewable forms of energy, such as wind power, are an essential part of efforts to tackle climate change and in helping Britain achieving Net Zero. EDF provides a range of innovative route to market solutions to over 8TWh of independent generators across the UK that enable them to optimise returns from their investments. This includes the market leading provision of tailored corporate renewable supply solutions, meeting the needs of both business energy consumers and renewable generators.

EDF’s Managing Director, Customers, Philippe Commaret, said: “Thanks to our long-held expertise in sustainable energy, we’ve been able to deliver a great deal for Edrington’s Scottish distilleries, which will be supplied with local, Scottish renewable energy.

“At EDF, our purpose is to help Britain achieve Net Zero and helping our customers reduce their carbon footprints is intrinsic to this commitment. This announcement marks the start of an exciting partnership which will see us working with Edrington to support them with their sustainability goals.”

Community Windpower’s Managing Director, Rod Wood, said: “We are delighted to supply home grown green electricity to such an iconic Scottish brand in the pursuit of its sustainability ambitions.

“Our aim has always been to develop, build and operate assets which help Scotland deliver on its world leading climate change targets. Through our “Buy Scottish” policy we prioritise investment in the Scottish economy across our Group, and this agreement with Edrington is further evidence of our commitment to Scottish businesses. 

“EDF’s strong relationships with Scottish businesses such as Edrington ensures our energy is not only meeting local needs, but is helping a leading Scottish business achieve its own sustainability goals.”

Edrington’s Head of Carbon Reduction, Graham MacWilliam said: “Edrington is committed to becoming a carbon neutral business by 2030 for our distilleries, offices and travel, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70% compared to 2016 levels.

“We’re really excited to sign this deal with EDF and see this as an important step forward in our sustainability journey.”

Co-Founder of Energy Edge Consulting, Brian Walker, said: “Our clients, Edrington, had specific goals of a longer-term energy agreement that met their sustainable energy targets.  Therefore, we are delighted to be working with EDF and utilising their commercial energy expertise, whilst matching the distilleries to a local windfarm. This is the start of an exciting future for Edrington and their Net Zero ambitions and we are delighted to have been part of the journey.”