Aviva Perth office to go off-grid following turbine approval

Aviva’s Pitheavlis site in Perth has taken a significant step towards achieving Net Zero operations following approval to install a wind turbine that will provide renewable energy for the site. The 77 metre turbine, approved by Perth and Kinross council today, will be sited adjacent to the overflow car park area on the Pitheavlis site.

Installation of the turbine means that, when combined with existing solar and battery technology, 100% of Pitheavlis electricity demand will be met through renewable energy.

The turbine, scheduled to be operational by the end of 2023, will generate up to 58.2m kWh over 25 years delivering an annual carbon emission saving of 386 tonnes¹. This is equivalent to the electricity required to power over 680 homes per year².

Any surplus energy generated will go to the on-site battery storage for later use or be exported to the grid. When conditions are not appropriate for the turbine to run, any additional energy taken from the grid will be from certified renewable sources - in line with Aviva’s other offices and ambition to achieve Net Zero operations by 2030 and become a Net Zero company by 2040.

Kirsty Cooper, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary said “The approval of this application is testament to Aviva’s on-going commitment to tackle climate change right across our business. It is also a proud moment for colleagues in Perth who have worked hard to see the office generate up to 100% of the electricity it needs to serve our customers and support Perth and Kinross Council in achieving their environmental aspirations.”

Pete Wishart MP for Perth and North Perthshire and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said “Scotland is leading on tackling climate change with the most ambitious legal framework for emissions reduction in the world. So it is good to see Aviva working to achieve Net Zero operations by 2030 and making their office in Perth an example of how it can be done. The addition of a new turbine will help Aviva to generate all of the electricity they need to run their operation and demonstrate a commitment to green energy, from one of the largest employers in Perth, while also supporting our ambition to be Europe’s first Net Zero small city.”

In addition to the turbine and existing solar and battery technology the Pitheavlis site has implemented a range of energy efficiency initiatives in support of Aviva’s climate ambitions including:

• Installing one of the UK’s largest combined solar carports and energy storage facilities, producing enough power to take the site off the energy grid for five hours each day
• Meeting the growing demand for electric vehicles by installing 50 EV charging stations
• Upgrading plant equipment and controls, LED lighting, and installing air-source heat-pumps.

Aviva employs approximately 1,800 people in Scotland, with around 900 people based in its Perth office, which hosts our property claims centre of excellence for both commercial and personal property.

More details of our environmental and climate-related actions, including KPIs and indicators, can be found in on our Sustainability pages and in our transition plan.

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<sub>1. Carbon emission tonnes calculated using DEFRA conversion factors for 2022.
2. Average UK home electricity use calculated using Ofgem Typical Domestic Consumption Values (TDCVs)</sub>

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