Distillers beat Government energy efficiency targets

The Department of Energy and Climate Change revealed that the 71 sites participating in the Spirits Energy Efficiency Company’s (SECC) scheme improved their energy efficiency by 25% since 1999 — 66 of the sites are Scotch Whisky distilleries.

By meeting the Government targets, the companies benefit from a 65% reduction in the Climate Change Levy, leading to a saving of around £2.6m a year.

The Government has now agreed to extend the Climate Change Agreement scheme for another 10 years from April 2013. “We believe there is scope to improve the scheme to deliver further energy savings,” said Scotch Whisky Association operational and technical affairs director Julie Hesketh-Laird.

“In our sector we have long called for our bottling operations to be eligible for inclusion in this effective climate change scheme.
“It’s odd, illogical and inequitable that the bottling of other drinks can qualify for a CCA, but not the bottling of spirits at large stand-alone sites.

“This must be addressed.”

The Scotch Whisky industry is working towards deriving 80% of its energy from non-fossil fuels by 2050.