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Premier Foods' Mr Kipling brand has completed a £2.1 million solar energy investment at its Carlton Bakery in South Yorkshire, UK.

The 2.2MW solar farm, installed on unused land within the site, features 3,500 panels across 2.9 hectares. When fully operational next month, it will have the potential to supply nearly three-quarters of the site’s electricity needs during peak sunlight – enough to power mixers, packaging machinery and lighting throughout the factory.

The move marks a major milestone for the site, which has been in operation for over 50 years and employs up to 1,000 people. The project is expected to cut carbon emissions by 468 tonnes per year and deliver significant energy savings.

Nick Brown, ESG director at Premier Foods, said the investment reflects the company’s commitment to long-term sustainability and operational resilience.

“Our Carlton Bakery was the largest purpose-built bakery in the world when it opened in the 1970s, and it remains the biggest bakery in the UK,” Brown said. “By generating more of our energy needs on site, we’re not only reducing our carbon footprint but making our operations even more resilient. This project is a key step in helping us deliver on our Enriching Life Plan commitments to cut emissions and reach net zero.”

The installation also has the capability to export excess electricity back into the local grid, creating a potential new energy source for the surrounding area.

Steve Morton, manufacturing director and factory general manager at Carlton Bakery, said the team is proud to see the site leading the charge on renewable energy.

“Carlton has been part of the community for over 50 years, and over that time the site has changed a great deal – this is the next really exciting step in its story,” he said.

The Carlton project is part of a wider programme of solar investments across Premier Foods’ manufacturing network. A £500,000 system has recently gone live at its Stoke bakery, while a further £500,000 project is underway in Ashford and due to be completed in the coming months.

Together, these initiatives form a key part of Premier Foods’ Enriching Life Plan, which aims to cut direct greenhouse gas emissions by 70% by 2030 and to be net zero by 2040. Since 2020/21, the company has already achieved a 30% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions.