Woolworths Group has partnered with CWP Renewables to make its first renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) to inject 195,000 Megawatt hours of green electricity into the state’s energy grid annually.
Written by Squadron Energy |
From January 2022, the PPA will cover around 30 per cent of Woolworths Group’s NSW energy needs with the electricity required to power 108 supermarkets, avoiding almost 158,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. This is the equivalent to the yearly energy needs of 34,000 homes (or all the homes in the Blue Mountains Local Government Area) and adds to the group’s existing network of rooftop solar panels at around 140 locations nationally.
Woolworths has partnered with CWP Renewables on a 10-year agreement to purchase power generated by the new Bango wind farm outside Yass, supporting regional investment and jobs.
As the Woolworths Group transitions to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025 - on its path to becoming net carbon positive by 2050 - it is prioritising investment in a number of initiatives, including new developments like the Bango Wind Farm, which is currently under construction.
Woolworths Group Director of Format, Rob McCartney said: “We know the steps we take to become a more sustainable business today will help create a better tomorrow for generations to come.
“Going beyond net carbon neutral, we’ve committed to take more carbon out of the atmosphere than we produce by 2050 and our first renewable power purchase is a key milestone in that pursuit.
“Supermarkets are particularly energy intensive to run and we want to use our scale for good by supporting the transition to renewable electricity.
“To spur the growth of the industry, we’re prioritising renewable energy from new build projects like the Bango wind farm, which also demonstrates the potential of green energy to deliver investment and jobs to regional areas.”
Woolworths Group’s PPA will support more than 100 jobs in construction and operation of the Bango wind farm. The Bango project will pay annual rents to local landholders whose properties host wind turbines and CWP Renewables will establish a $14 million fund for community projects.
CWP Renewables CEO, Jason Willoughby said: “Woolworths is not only buying renewable energy from Bango Wind Farm, they are also supporting regional NSW and reducing greenhouse gases emission.
“With Woolworths’ decision, CWP Renewables is developing both stages of the approved Bango wind farm and will be generating renewable energy for Woolworths from the start of next year.”
NSW Energy Minister, Matt Kean said he was pleased to see more companies and businesses enthusiastically entering the renewable energy market in NSW.
The Minister said: “This is great news and further proof that the NSW electricity infrastructure roadmap is providing the certainty to businesses and energy market investors to make financial decisions that will help power our state into the future.
“I am fully supportive of all energy market investment in NSW, but this partnership and agreement is particularly significant because it is prioritising the building of new infrastructure, providing for local jobs and investment and helping us grow our renewable energy base.”
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