Sysco harnesses wind power deal to help reach renewables target

Sysco GB has signed a deal with Shell Energy Europe to harness 20 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of wind power a year until 2035, as part of its commitment to use only renewable energy by 2030.

The new agreement will see the food and drink wholesaler secure the equivalent of around a third of its expected energy use by 2030. The electricity is generated by the Race Bank offshore wind farm off the north Norfolk coast with which Shell Energy Europe has an offtake agreement.

Sysco GB has driven its move to renewable energy by installing solar panels on the roofs of six depots across the country and making improvements in energy efficiency, reducing usage and piloting electric and alternative fuel vehicles.

The new deal will see Sysco GB purchasing renewable electricity which would power the equivalent of more than 7,400 homes every year.

Paul Nieduszynski, chief executive of Sysco GB, said: “We are determined to lead the transformation to a more sustainable future, including transitioning 100% of our electricity demand to renewables by 2030. We’re already making progress in converting the rooftops of our depots to generate renewable electricity, and this deal is a significant step towards our target.

“Customers are clear that sustainability is at the forefront of their agenda. By cutting the footprint of our own operations we are supporting our customers to reduce theirs too. We will continue to lead the industry on sustainability – to play our part in securing the future of food.”

Pete Statham, head of EU sustainability for Sysco, added: “As we continue to grow in Great Britain, we’re committing to renewables to strengthen our business, improve resilience and help our customers meet their own sustainability goals. By scaling onsite generation and long-term clean power, we’ll reduce emissions at pace, while improving the service our customers count on.

“This is a significant agreement within the UK foodservice market. And it is central to how we build a more sustainable, lower carbon future for foodservice, playing our part in securing the future of food.”

Sysco set science-based targets to cut scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 27.5% by 2030, and to secure 100% renewable electricity globally, with the firm’s FY25 Global Sustainability Report highlighting a 15% reduction since 2019.

Last year, Sysco GB acquired catering butcher Fairfax Meadow from Hilton Foods in a £54m deal.

That was the wholesaler’s second acquisition in the meat supply chain within a year, after the Campbell’s Prime Meat takeover in October 2024. 

The group’s Fresh Direct brand recently achieved its pledge to source all contracted British produce from Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) Marque-accredited growers.

In 2024, Fresh Direct partnered with Kent-based vertical farm GrowUp Farms to supply its greens year-round, following the addition of Norwich’s Fischer Farms to its portfolio.

Last December, Sysco’s Brakes arm launched the second phase of its Get Set Supply incubator scheme to help SMEs pitch to hospitality operators.