Irn-bru to turn green with wind power deal
● AG Barr signs energy contract with renewables firm Vattenfall
Scotland’s famous gingercoloured drink is set to turn green as the maker of Irn-bru switches from fossil fuel power to 100 per cent renewable electricity.
AG Barr, the manufacturer of Scotland’s “other” national drink and brands such as Rubicon, has announced it will use wind energy to power its operations across the UK.
The move comes after the firm signed a deal with Swedish energy group Vattenfall, which operates wind farms at several locations around Scotland and across the UK.
The ten-year contract will see green energy supplied to AG Barr plants countrywide, including factories in Cumbernauld and Milton Keynes and regional sites in Forfar, Bolton, Newcastle, Sheffield and Manchester.
The firm will receive 22 gigawatt hours of electricity each year – around the same amount it would take to power 6,000 homes.
Roger White, chief executive of AG Barr, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to innovate and we’re excited to work with Vattenfall, who specialise in doing things differently.
“Introducing 100 per cent renewable electricity across all our UK sites is a big step towards reducing our carbon footprint and delivering our ambitious sustainable business goals.”
Danielle Lane, country manager of Vattenfall UK, said: “Our goal is to give our customers a life free from fossil fuel and we are delighted to provide AG Barr with a longterm supply of home-grown renewable energy.
“We are seeing more and more companies looking to secure fossil-free power for their business as they work towards net-zero carbon emissions.”
Irn-bru is the best-selling soft drink in Scotland and the third favourite in the UK – behind Coca-cola and Pepsi.
The orange beverage was invented in 1901 to satisfy thirsty steel workers rebuilding Glasgow’s Central Station.
The men, who had previously been hydrating themselves with beer, reacted with enthusiasm when presented with the sweet “tonic-like” drink, which was made with sugar and caffeine to help them get through a hard day’s graft.
Its original recipe has been kept secret and handed down the generations ever since.
However, the firm launched a reduced-sugar version in 2018 in response to concerns about the obesity epidemic.
The move divided opinion among fans, with campaigns launched to protect “real” Irnbru and cans of the original brew being sold for up to £5.
A “limited edition” oldstyle offering went on sale in the run-up to Christmas last year.