PepsiCo UK has partnered with energy infrastructure specialist Ineco Energy to install solar panels on 30,000 square meters of its southern region distribution center in Leicester.
The project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in September 2026.
Once completed, the 3.56 MWp solar PV project is expected to meet 100% of the centre’s annual electricity demand.
Angus Rose, director of Ineco Energy, explains: “Once operational, it will be one of the largest rooftop systems of its kind in the UK food production sector, generating the same amount of electricity as the SRDC (Southern Region Distribution Center) uses in an entire year.”
Because the array will provide the energy needed for the distribution center, the company expects it will reduce demand on the national electricity grid. In addition, the surplus electricity will help power a Walkers chip factory, which is located next to the distribution centre.
Andy Smethurst, UK warehousing and logistics director at PepsiCo, said: “Leicester is already home to one of the world’s largest chip factories, and now we’re delivering one of the most complex solar energy systems, right here in the East Midlands.”
The solar installation will cost £3.6 million and follows a £14 million investment in 2021 to upgrade the distribution centre. The company calls the distribution center upgrade one of the company’s largest UK logistics investments, as the center plays a key role in the UK supply chain. The Leicester site employs 240 people and distributes products made in six factories nationwide.
The project is part of a wider series of sustainability investments by PepsiCo across its UK sites. The southern region distribution center had previously switched to electric ovens, the company has installed new machinery at the Coventry site to improve efficiency and added more efficient fryers at the Brigg, Lincolnshire site.
According to PepsiCo, this series of projects reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2,400 tons per year.
Climate Secretary Katie White concluded: “We welcome PepsiCo’s decision to embrace our rooftop solar revolution… It is a great example of how Britain’s businesses can reduce emissions, cut bills and strengthen our energy security.”
