Oswaldtwistle Mills partners with Engenera on cutting-edge solar installation
A significant stride towards sustainable operations has been made by Oswaldtwistle Mills, the retail, gardening, and food complex near Accrington. Collaborating with Engenera Renewables Group, a renewable energy specialist based in Newcastle, it has achieved a commendable milestone with the seamless implementation of an advanced solar photovoltaic (PV) system.
This initiative reinforces Oswaldtwistle Mills’ steadfast dedication to sustainability and serves as a testament to its ongoing endeavours in minimising its ecological impact.
Situated in the heart of Lancashire, Oswaldtwistle Mills Home & Lifestyle Centre is a retail hub that houses over 100 retailers under one roof, including four restaurants, garden, fashion, giftware, a food court, and more. Driven by its commitment to environmental sustainability, Oswaldtwistle Mills sought a renewable energy solution that would not only lower its considerable energy costs but also contribute to a greener future by reducing carbon emissions.
Collaborating closely with Engenera Renewables Group, a leading provider of sustainable energy solutions based in the North East of England, Oswaldtwistle Mills developed a bespoke solar PV installation plan designed to maximise energy savings while minimising disruption to its daily operations.
The bespoke solar PV installation includes 315 solar panels, two Solis inverters, and boasts a total capacity of 129 kW. Notably, the project posed a unique challenge due to the building’s two separate elevations and the need to minimise disruption to the site and its customers. However, Engenera’s team of expert engineers designed and implemented the installation, ensuring optimal exposure to sunlight while considering the structural intricacies of the site.
The anticipated impact of the solar PV system is substantial. Oswaldtwistle Mills expects to achieve significant reductions in energy costs and carbon emissions, with estimated savings of £958,000 over a span of 25 years. Moreover, the installation is projected to save approximately 25,000 kg of CO2 annually. To enable seamless monitoring and optimisation of energy consumption, Engenera deployed its own energy monitoring system, Engenera Energy Logix, empowering Oswaldtwistle Mills to track its energy usage and savings over time.
Nick Pitman, Managing Director of Oswaldtwistle Mills, said:
“We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously at Oswaldtwistle Mills and are working hard to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate our impact on the environment. Last year, we invested over £100k in LED lighting across the whole store, and this year, the solar installation came at the right time as we saw our energy costs quadruple in September 2022.”
“Over the recent weeks, we have seen numerous days where we have operated purely on solar provision and not taken anything from the grid. We were really pleased with the project from start to finish and are thankful to Engenera for working with us on this project.”
Lloyd Lawson, Chief Strategy Officer at Engenera, said:
“Leveraging renewable energy solutions is not only crucial for businesses like Oswaldtwistle Mills to reduce their carbon footprint, but it also presents an opportunity for them to take control of their energy costs. We are proud to have worked alongside Oswaldtwistle Mills in implementing this innovative solar PV installation, enabling them to make significant energy savings while contributing to a more sustainable future. This project is a shining example of how Engenera is dedicated to empowering businesses across the UK to embrace clean energy solutions and achieve their environmental goals.”
