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Yorkshire brewery turns to solar to power its pints

Tuesday, 20 May 2025 08:20

Solar panels have been installed at the T&R Theakston brewery in Masham.

An independent Yorkshire brewery has received funding from North Yorkshire Council for the installation of solar panels to power its pints.

The near 200-year-old T&R Theakston brewery site in Masham has undergone a transformation with the addition of 205 solar panels.

The solar panels, installed on south-facing buildings at the site, will produce circa 25% of the brewery’s annual energy requirement.

Theakston’s received funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which was administered by North Yorkshire Council.

It follows a number of capital investment projects by Theakston’s over the last 12 months which have sought to ensure the historic brewery is able to continue producing high quality beers and offering tours of its facilities as it prepares to enter its third century in 2027.

Simon Theakston, Chairman of T&R Theakston’s, said:

“We are grateful to the UKSPF and North Yorkshire Council for their support through this funding which has enabled us to take this valuable step towards a more sustainable operation here at the brewery.

“Being based in the heart of North Yorkshire, we're passionate about the environment and are proud to be playing our part to protect it.

“From our use of traditional wooden casks for Old Peculier and all our other casks, which are collected, cleaned and reused every day to now being able to produce our own energy, we are committed to evolving in ways which will make our business and our industry more sustainable.”

North Yorkshire Council’s leader, Cllr Carl Les, former chair of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Local Partnership Group in the county, said:

“Looking at renewable energy sources is a key priority for the council so seeing this funding going into solar panels at Masham is a perfect fit.

“The UKSPF programme set out to boost the local economy and add community value for local people, and this project fits the bill perfectly.”

To find out more about T&R Theakston, visit: www.theakstons.co.uk.

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