 14th August 2007 - McCain Foods (GB) Ltd is proud to announce the imminent installation of three, 80 metre high wind turbines at its Whittlesey plant, in a groundbreaking drive to lower its carbon footprint and move its operations towards a sustainable future. The Whittlesey site is the largest chip factory in the UK, and McCain is the first major UK food manufacturer to power a facility of this size using alternative energy.
The 80 metre high turbines, will be the highest ever on shore in England, and will power the entire site at certain times of the year, providing up to 60% of the annual electrical power required to operate the plant. The turbines can produce 3 mega watts of electricity each, the most powerful currently in use in the UK, and when the plant is not operating, unused electricity will be put into the National Grid.
Bill Bartlett, Corporate Affairs Director at McCain, said: “This is a significant investment from McCain and we are particularly proud to be the first major food manufacturer to use alternative energy on this scale. These turbines will reduce energy bills by up to 60% and will enable us to ensure the competitive sustainability of the plant. More significantly, it demonstrates that a large scale manufacturing plant can operate efficiently while significantly reducing its carbon footprint.”
The turbines will be erected and operational in November 2007 and aim to ensure the long term viability of the Whittlesey plant. The wind turbines are just one of many environmental initiatives that McCain has introduced. Across all of its UK facilities, McCain is continuing to innovate and introduce new technology designed to limit the company’s impact on the environment. These include:
The imminent investment in a combined heat and power facility at the Whittlesey plant which will run on a renewable energy supply generated by biogas from an on-site waste water treatment plant digester
The issue of food miles is addressed through using potatoes exclusively from the U.K to make McCain chips. All potatoes are sourced as close to the factories as possible
The recent introduction of double deck delivery vehicles, reducing road miles by 20%
McCain also recently invested in heat recovery systems at its Scarborough site which recovers waste heat from the fryers and uses it to heat water used in the preparation process
Bartlett added: “Innovation is at the core of our company and we are proud of our commitment to improving the environmental impact of our preparation processes. Whittlesey is an important plant for us. It is only a few metres above sea level and we hope that by introducing wind turbines, McCain, as a responsible and proud member of the local community, can help to try and keep it that way.”
This announcement follows a lengthy planning application process which saw McCain consult with a number of groups including the local community; English Nature; RSPB; and the local and district council. Any concerns regarding potential impacts on the local community and wildlife have been addressed and planning permission was granted in May. national@guardian.co.uk
Bartlett concluded: “We are very grateful to all the organisations that have been involved in the consultation process and we are particularly delighted that all groups have been willing to work and engage with us. Through mutual cooperation, McCain and the various local groups have managed to secure the support of the local community; the protection of local wildlife; and the development a landmark manufacturing facility that offers green solutions to big business’ dependency on non-sustainable power.”
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Anglian Water have revealed plans for a 4 turbine , 12 megawatt (MW) wind farm on vacant land adjacent to Flag Fen Sewage Treatment Works at Peterborough. 
The Fens Co-op is an initiative set up in association with Wind Prospect Ltd to give local people in the Fens an opportunity to invest in wind developments in their area and share the benefits of green energy. 
Anglian Water and TCI Renewable's came to see us last week to discuss the proposed farm at Flag Fen. 
