From flagship breweries with national distribution to smaller craft producers, renewable energy can be scaled to suit your site, capacity and budget. Done well, harnessing renewables generates measurable carbon savings, long-term cost benefits, and a genuine touchpoint for connection with more eco-conscious consumers, explain the team at Good Energy.

Renewable energy is the hot topic, and we know why. For over 25 years, Good Energy has helped organisations turn uncertainty into opportunity by generating and managing their own clean power.

These greener changes have given them greater control, stability and confidence that have seen their businesses thrive.

As energy prices remain volatile and climate targets tighten, more and more breweries are learning a vital lesson: embedding sustainability into operations isn’t just about meeting ESG targets – it’s about creating a stronger connection with customers who care about where their beer comes from and how it’s made.

The brewing industry’s big energy challenge

Brewing sits among the UK’s more energy-intensive manufacturing sectors. Heat, hot water, cooling, and constant process control mean energy is in use almost every hour of the day. While efficiency gains can help, simply put: brewhouses require a lot of energy. In fact, the Brewers Association estimates that producing a single barrel of beer uses between 55 and 66 kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy.

For a microbrewery turning out 15,000 barrels a year, that adds up to around 825,000 kWh annually. That’s like leaving a light bulb on for four to five hours per pint – before the packaging and transportation has even begun!

While that kind of usage would usually equate to tens of thousands of pounds in energy bills (not to mention tonnes of carbon), renewable energy offers a better alternative.

The sustainable solution

Whether self-generated on-site or sourced from the grid, solar panels and renewable supply tariffs offer breweries a straightforward way to cut carbon and costs.

They reduce the strain of increased electrification, lowering operational costs – meanwhile the upfront costs of commercial solar installations are becoming more manageable for businesses thanks to UK grants and financing options. 

Record levels of efficiency and falling installation prices mean a well-designed solar array can pay for itself in as little as three years. What’s more, by fuelling everything you do on site, renewables don’t just make one part of your business greener. Rather, they make your entire operations more sustainable.

Why renewable energy makes commercial sense for breweries

Renewable energy isn’t just an environmental win, it’s a fiscally responsible and highly rewarding move. Here’s why:

• Lower costs, more certainty: on-site solar secures a significant portion of your energy supply at zero marginal cost, minimising exposure to volatile prices.
• Operational resilience: battery storage and smarter energy management help keep production running smoothly, even during price spikes.
• Brand advantage: stay ahead of consumer buying trends as distributors, pubs, and consumers increasingly opt for products with strong sustainability credentials.
• Stronger supply chain relationships: many large buyers now prioritise suppliers with credible carbon reduction plans. 
• Future-proofing the industry: climate change threatens essential crops such as barley and hops, so renewables inherently support the viability of your business on a wider scale too.

Turning sustainability into part of your brand story

Customers appreciate the stories behind the products they enjoy – the process, the people, and the values. Concrete, verifiable actions – like brewing with 100% renewable electricity, sourcing ingredients from local farms, or investing in solar panels that power your brewhouse – add depth and authenticity to your brand.

For example, organic craft beer brewer and fellow B Corp, Stroud Brewery, uses 100% renewably generated electricity including 25% generation from their rooftop solar.

Even more impressively, their turnover has more than doubled, from £946k to over £2m in 2023. They attribute their success in large part to their sustainability credentials, which helped build customer loyalty and a strong brand reputation. 

How to avoid greenwashing with a truly renewable supply

Unfortunately, not all “renewable” tariffs are as green as they sound. Many big suppliers still buy most of their power from fossil fuels, then use certificates called REGOs to re-badge it as 100% renewable.

This system costs bill payers over £1bn a year, but does little to grow new renewable generation or ensure the power you use is genuinely green. In fact, electricity sold to you as “renewable” could have been generated by gas or coal, and matched months later with a paper certificate from summer solar.

So, while you might think you’re supporting renewables, you might just be paying for clever accounting.

At Good Energy, we match your brewery’s power demand with renewable electricity from our network of over 3,000 independent UK generators, every half-hour of the day.

This isn’t based on annual averages or broad claims – it’s near real-time matching. And, if there’s ever a shortfall, we balance it out over a 12-month period to make sure your supply stays genuinely 100% renewable.

For breweries, this means knowing that the electricity behind every pint you brew is backed directly by UK solar, wind, hydro and biogeneration.

And, unlike other ‘renewable’ suppliers, we don’t rely on vague carbon offsets; our supply offers breweries a transparent supply chain you can proudly share with your customers. 

Good Energy for breweries

From flagship breweries with national distribution to smaller craft producers, renewable energy can be scaled to suit your site, capacity and budget. Done well, harnessing renewables generates measurable carbon savings, long-term cost benefits, and a genuine touchpoint for connection with more eco-conscious consumers.