British personal care company Unilever has announced it is using 100 percent renewable wind energy at 15 of its UK sites, following a new contract with renewable energy company, Eneco UK.

Being the dedicated beneficiary of energy produced at the 23-turbine strong Scottish Highlands-based wind farm in Lochluichart – owned by Eneco UK – the company has acquired 165GWh or 87 percent of the farm’s output, with the extra 13 percent sold to local communities under a retail tariff.

Yvette Edwards, Unilever Sustainable Business and Communications Director, said, “It’s been an exciting start to the year in the UK where we are on a journey to improve the sustainability of our sites. This latest step in securing an in-country, sustainable supply of wind-generated energy is an important milestone in helping us meet our bold ambition of becoming carbon positive by 2030. It’s made all the more significant as any surplus supply will be sold to nearby communities, thereby progressing our vision of making sustainable living commonplace.”

The new development extends an existing partnership with Eneco in the Netherlands, which sees a North Sea wind farm owned by the company help power Unilever’s offices and factories.

The move follows a contract to use biomethane to power the five Unilever sites in the UK and Ireland, meaning that all manufacturing sites now source 100 percent of its electricity from certified renewable sources.

Zoisa Walton, Country Director, Eneco UK added, “Eneco is proud to partner with Unilever to provide a solution to its 2030 ambition to become carbon positive. We are committed to working with companies in realising their sustainable energy ambitions as well as the local community through our partnership with Cooperative Energy on the ‘Highlands and Mearns Wind’ tariff. It is a good example of Eneco’s mission to provide sustainable energy for everyone.”