Installation of the UK’s largest single-roof solar array – 6.6 MW - is set to begin later this month at the Barton-upon-Humber manufacturing plant of one of the UK’s leading kitchen and bedroom retailers, Wren, as part of the company’s commitment to building a more sustainable business.
The Nest drone shot – Wren’s Parrott Street manufacturing plant, Barton-upon-Humber. Image Credit: Wren Kitchens
The multi-million pound investment will see over 13,000 solar panels installed on the roof of Wren’s 1.3 million sq. ft Parrott Street factory, which is big enough to hold around 15 football pitches. When complete in winter this year, the solar panels are expected to provide over 35 % of the factory’s energy demand. It could power the equivalent of over 2,000 homes or nearly 17 million electric vehicle miles.
This installation is the latest project to contribute to the Humber’s growing reputation as one of the UK’s leading areas for renewable energy and builds on the 6.5 MW Port of Hull solar installation which Associated British Ports completed in 2020.
Parrott Street is one of the largest and most advanced kitchen manufacturing facilities in the world. Since it opened in 2022 a further 1,200 jobs have been created bringing the total number of people employed at the Barton-upon-Humber site to 2,315.
Mark Pullan, CEO of Wren, said: “We’re proud of this development – it's a significant milestone on our journey towards more sustainable operations and is part of our overall investment and strong commitment to achieve Carbon Net Zero by 2030.
“The Humber area is proving itself to be a real hub for renewable energy with many significant projects complete or underway and we’re delighted to play our part in that with our commitment to building a sustainable business, for now and into the future.”