£3 million renewable energy system now live and set to generate 120% of the businesses energy needs ahead of Christmas production rush

Simon Howie, the Scottish Butcher and UK household meat brand, has taken a major step forward on its path to net zero with the installation of a 104m high wind turbine and 3800 solar panels on the company's land in Dunning, Perthshire.

After years of planning and months of installation and testing the fully integrated system has today Monday 30 September been officially switched on. Weather allowing, its forecasted to produce over 120% of the energy the business needs purely from Scottish sun and wind – reducing its carbon emissions by over 500 tonnes per year.

The change comes just in time for the businesses peak operating months, October – February, which sees the company deliver on the increased demand for Christmas and then straight into haggis season in the run up to Burns Night. Set to be the company's busiest ever festive period, its range of products, including pigs in blankets, bacon and the UK's best selling haggis, will be made with a reduced carbon footprint of over 200 tonnes for this period alone.

As well as operating more sustainably the company now hires over 130 staff an increase of over 20 from this time last year.

The business has also invested in 2 x 450KWh battery storage to maximise return from the energy generated and to continue to power the factory for night shifts or on days where it is neither sunny nor windy. Any excess energy generated once the batteries are full and on demand needs are met will be sold back to the grid.

Supporting the circular economy, the wind turbine was sourced from an existing wind farm, instead of manufacturing a new asset. Delivery and installation was a mission in itself with the 10-year-old  goliath, being transported through the  narrow roads of rural Perthshire in August. After installation, a complicated connection process and several rounds of testing, the turbine and the solar panels have now been connected to the National Grid and are switched on and generating energy as planned

The £3million project has been primarily funded by Simon Howie with additional support coming from Scottish Enterprise who provided a £500,000 grant towards the solar panels. The new system makes the company one of the most sustainable food and drink businesses in Scotland, producing high quality food products with no reliance on fossil fuels.

Simon Howie, owner of Simon Howie Group said: "After two years of planning it's wonderful to see our renewable energy system now live. Getting the wind turbine and solar panels operational has been a logistical challenge but will reap rewards both for us as a business but also for our customers and consumers as it allows us to do all we can to protect them from energy-related price hikes.

"We take our responsibilities to the planet very seriously. The climate emergency is real and as one of Scotland's biggest food manufacturers we are committed to a more sustainable future. We hope that by showcasing the environmental and commercial benefits of renewable energy, we can encourage other food and drink manufacturers to consider how they can consider a more responsible future."

You can read more about Simon Howie's renewable energy journey here.

You can see the installation journey here.