As part of Holcim UK’s ongoing mission to lead in sustainable building solutions, the cement company has taken another major step in its renewable energy rollout with the installation of a large-scale solar power system at its Callow Plant in Somerset. This latest development highlights the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and increasing energy independence across its operations.
The Callow site, located near Cheddar, plays an important role in Holcim UK’s regional production capabilities. It houses a hard rock aggregate quarry, a ready-mix concrete plant, and a building products block factory—all of which contribute significantly to the UK’s construction industry. Now, with the installation of 464 solar panels, Holcim is not only improving its environmental footprint but also reinforcing its position as a sustainability leader within the construction materials industry.
This solar initiative was delivered in collaboration with Regenerco, the project developer, and Aniron, the installation contractor. Together, the teams have delivered a system capable of generating over 167,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, covering approximately 8% of the site’s total annual energy demand. This will help offset 15.6 tons of CO₂ emissions per year, directly supporting Holcim’s wider carbon reduction goals.
This initiative aligns with Holcim UK’s net-zero strategy, which aims to eliminate emissions across all operations by 2050. According to Luke Olly, Head of Decarbonization at Holcim UK, the Callow Plant project marks a significant step, not only as the first solar installation under the newly rebranded Holcim UK name but also as part of a growing portfolio of clean energy initiatives.
“We welcome the latest solar installation at one of our UK sites, the first as Holcim UK, and aim to maintain the momentum that has been created,” Olly commented. Renewable energy is one of the key components of the company’s net-zero strategy. The more projects they can introduce, the cleaner energy they can produce, contributing to lowering carbon emissions and making their sites more self-sufficient.
This development follows successful rooftop solar installations at Holcim UK’s Huland Ward and Bardon Hill facilities within the past year. These projects are part of a broader push to embed sustainability into every facet of the company’s operations—from production processes to logistics and beyond.
Nigel Price, Director at Regenerco, expressed his support for the initiative. Expressing their enthusiasm to work along Holcim UK with their ongoing clean electricity needs and welcoming another successful installation at Callow. Their shared commitment to renewable energy ensures projects that deliver true impact and benefit both the environment and business operations.
Looking ahead, Holcim UK has signaled that additional renewable energy projects are already in the pipeline for the remainder of 2025, further accelerating its progress toward a low-carbon future.
As the construction industry faces increasing pressure to address climate change and embrace more sustainable practices, Holcim UK’s proactive investment in solar technology sets a powerful example, demonstrating that decarbonization is not only achievable but also advantageous from both an environmental and operational perspective.
About Holcim UK
Holcim UK, part of the global Holcim Group, is a leading provider of sustainable building materials and solutions. Operating across aggregates, ready-mix concrete, cement, and construction products, Holcim UK supports infrastructure and development projects across the country while driving innovation and sustainability in the building industry.
Source: worldcement.com