Scottish Leather Group (SLG) has activated a solar PV array at its production facility in Bridge of Weir, Scotland, to enhance the sustainability of its leather production.
The PV array will provide private wire, self-generated electrical energy for all SLG companies, including Muirhead, a producer of leathers for aviation and passenger transport, and Bridge of Weir Leather, a producer of automotive leathers. The array will also supply SLG’s work in the furniture, and consumer goods sectors.
The 4,348-panel solar farm covers an area of 33,000 square metres, equal in size to more than three football pitches, and can generate up to 3.0 MW of power in total. 3.0 MW is enough to power 750 homes per year, and to deliver an average of 24% of SLG’s electrical demands over the course of a year.
The installation is the latest initiative in SLG’s circular approach to leather production. Over the last 20 years SLG has made multi-million-pound investments in sustainable production, including its ‘Super Tannery’, designed to slash energy use by 82% and water use by 42% thanks to innovative hide-processing technologies.
Located south of SLG’s Thermal Energy Plant (TEP), the solar PV array is the latest step in the group’s power strategy to move the business to self-generated, zero-impact, clean on-site energy. SLG says its leather manufacturing operations are set to be net zero (Scope 1 and 2) by the end of 2025, achieving a target originally set in 2018 – and 20 years ahead of Scotland’s net-zero ambitions.
Dr Warren Bowden, head of innovation and sustainability at Scottish Leather Group, said: “Over the last two decades, Scottish Leather Group has continuously invested in strategic initiatives designed to optimise and improve the sustainability and circularity of our leather production.
“With our new solar PV array, we are taking a step forward in the self-generation of on-site clean power, removing grid reliance, which further supports us as we rapidly accelerate towards achieving our target of 100% zero greenhouse gas emissions for our operations.”
