Construction consultancy EDGE is assisting Mitchells & Butlers in implementing a major solar energy initiative across the UK, aiming to save energy equivalent to powering 500 homes.

EDGE is delivering quantity surveying and project management for the installation of photovoltaic (PV) panels at more than 200 sites for household hospitality brands including Vintage Inns, Harvester, and Toby Carvery. The programme supports Mitchells & Butlers’ sustainability goals to achieve net zero emissions by 2040.

It is predicted that for each site fitted with PV panels in the current financial year, 1.8 million kWh of electricity will be saved from non-renewable sources. This creates a saving of more than 1,250 tonnes of CO2 equivalent – or enough to power more than 500 average homes for a whole year.

Sam Ward, senior project manager at EDGE, said: "This extensive PV scheme signifies an enormous commitment from Mitchells & Butlers to investing in renewable energy sources for its franchisees and we’ve made great progress so far. Having commenced delivering in September 2023, more than 100 sites in the south have now completed across Gloucester, Milton Keynes, Dorset, Hampshire, Southampton, and Bournemouth – working with renewable energy specialist contractors Carbon3 and Geo Green Power."

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The two core priorities for Mitchells & Butlers have been to deliver the required works with minimal impact to communities and aesthetics, shaping the requirement for a robust stakeholder engagement plan for each site. These plans have helped to shape the programme of works, minimising the impact on staff and customers during service hours.

Sam said: "Each restaurant or pub has offered a unique set of opportunities and challenges, particularly when considering many properties on Mitchells & Butlers’ portfolio being listed buildings. Our expertise in delivering renewable energy projects like this one has enabled the creation of intricate solutions adapted to the needs of individual sites, optimising the local energy savings that contribute to the wider sustainability goals of the group.

"From briefing through to completion, a bespoke approach is taken for every site, informed by the stakeholder plans to make sure that works are considerate to the local area, in-keeping with brand aesthetics, and crucially keep restaurants and bars open in a safe manner for staff and customers."

Ian Reeley, head of building development (city division) and sustainability solar PV development at Mitchells & Butlers, said: "We are committed to achieving a 70% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030, and one of the key initiatives we’ve implemented to aid the delivery of this is the major rollout and installation of PV panels to our freehold in collaboration with EDGE.

"Our PV locations are geographically spread, and each require a highly bespoke series of works, so a one-size-fits-all approach was never a consideration. This is a significant undertaking, and we’ve been really pleased with the quality of delivery at more than 100 installations so far.

"In total we've generated more than three megawatts of solar energy to date, and none of this would have been achievable without the excellent communication, accurate cost control and first-class project management provided by EDGE. We are confident EDGE will help us to realise our goals of reducing our carbon emissions as we look to begin works at locations in Leeds, York, Manchester and beyond."