GKN Aerospace, the largest private employer on the Island, has completed a 1.2MW solar farm at its East Cowes site, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to sustainability.
The solar farm covers 3.9 acres of previously unused land and features 2,734 panels. The farm generates enough energy to power the equivalent of 290 UK households a year.
Hernes: A great step forward for the site and the Island
Garry Hernes, Site Director for GKN Aerospace’s Cowes facility, said,
“This is a great step forward for the site and the Island in the journey towards net-zero carbon emissions.
“A lot of hard work has gone into this project, and I would like to extend a massive thanks to everyone who has supported and helped make it a reality.”
East Cowes plans to continue its sustainability efforts by exploring further renewable energy opportunities, optimizing production processes and implementing energy meters and management systems to reduce energy waste.
One of four GKN Aerospace sites using solar energy
The East Cowes solar farm is one of four GKN Aerospace sites using solar energy, alongside Western Approach and its UK Global Technology Centre, both in Bristol, and Papendrecht, in The Netherlands. Five additional GKN Aerospace sites, in the US, Mexico, India and Sweden, are in the planning phase for solar power implementation, putting the company on track to have over half of its global workforce of 16,000 people operating in facilities powered by renewable energy.
GKN Aerospace’s sustainability goals
Solar power is a key step in the realisation of GKN Aerospace’s sustainability goals, which have recently been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
GKN Aerospace has also been recognised by EcoVadis as among the leading 15% of companies for operational sustainability practices.
Article edit
8.33am 28th Oct 2024 – A couple of ‘East’s added to body of article
News shared by Marianne on behalf of GKN. Ed
