JD Wetherspoon cuts energy use and emissions with major refrigeration upgrade
The pub company has significantly improved the efficiency and sustainability of its supply chain following a major refrigeration upgrade at its Daventry distribution centre, operated by DHL.
DELIVERED BY Star Refrigeration, the project has reduced annual electricity consumption by more than 600,000 kWh, cut energy costs by nearly £200,000, and lowered carbon emissions by 123 tonnes.
The upgrade is a key part of JD Wetherspoon’s drive to enhance operational performance while meeting long-term environmental goals. The 192,000 m³ facility, which supports the pub company’s nationwide estate, relied on an ageing refrigeration system installed in 2004 that had become increasingly costly and inefficient.
Working in partnership with DHL, Star Refrigeration replaced the legacy system with its low-charge ammonia Azanefreezer 2.0 – a modern, energy-efficient solution designed to improve reliability and reduce environmental impact. Using just 220kg of ammonia and requiring no water for cooling or treatment, the system delivers both safety and lifecycle cost benefits while meeting the demands of high-volume food distribution.
The new 290kW unit operates alongside an existing Azanefreezer system to support the site’s 31,000 m³ frozen store. Installation was carefully phased to ensure no disruption to JD Wetherspoon’s supply chain operations, maintaining full functionality throughout.
Performance has exceeded expectations, with the site now operating 17% above UK cold storage best practice benchmarks. Energy savings are more than triple initial projections, resulting in a payback period of under two years.
