Woolworths Group has entered into its first Renewable Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) as it strives to transition to 100% renewable electricity by 2025.

NSW’s new wind farm in Bango will inject 195,000 megawatt hours of green electricity into the state’s energy grid annually.

As the Woolworths Group moves to 100% renewable electricity by 2025 – on track to become net carbon positive by 2050 – it is prioritizing investments in a number of initiatives, including new developments like the Bango wind farm, which is currently under construction.

From January 2022, the PPA will cover around 30% of Woolworths Group’s energy needs in New South Wales with the electricity needed to power 108 supermarkets, avoiding nearly 158,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year. This is in addition to the group’s existing network of rooftop solar panels at approximately 140 sites nationwide.

Woolworths has partnered with CWP Renewables on a 10-year agreement to purchase power generated by the new Bango wind farm outside of Yass, supporting regional investment and jobs.

Woolworths Group Format Director Rob McCartney said: “We know the steps we take to become a more sustainable business today will help create a better future for generations to come.

“Beyond net carbon neutrality, we are committed to removing more carbon from the atmosphere than we produce by 2050 and our first purchase of renewable energy is a key step in this pursuit.

“Supermarkets are particularly energy intensive to operate and we want to use our scale for good by supporting the transition to renewable electricity.

“To stimulate the growth of the industry, we are prioritizing renewable energies from new construction projects like the Bango wind farm, which also demonstrates the potential of green energy to generate investment and jobs in the areas regional.

The Woolworths Group PPA will support more than 100 jobs in the construction and operation of the Bango Wind Farm. The Bango project will pay annual rents to local landowners whose properties house wind turbines and CWP Renewables will establish a $ 14 million fund for community projects.

Jason Willoughby, CEO of CWP Renewables, said: “Woolworths not only buys renewable energy from the Bango wind farm, it also supports regional NSW and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

“With Woolworths’ decision, CWP Renewables is developing both stages of the approved Bango wind farm and will produce renewable energy for Woolworths from early 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 power infrastructure roadmap provides certainty for businesses and investors in the energy market to make financial decisions. that will help propel our state into the future.

“I fully support all investments in the NSW energy market, but this partnership and agreement is particularly important as it prioritizes the construction of new infrastructure, creates jobs and local investment and help us develop our renewable energy base. â€

The Woolworths Group accounts for around one percent of Australia’s total energy consumption, representing a significant influx of green electricity into the national grid as it converts to renewables by 2025.

The company will continue to explore opportunities to invest directly in purchasing electricity from renewable projects. It will also seek to partner with energy retailers on supply contracts that leverage new renewable energy construction projects to accelerate the availability and affordability of green energy, thereby delivering more of choice to Australian households.

The transition to renewables will support Woolworths Group’s progress towards its 63% carbon reduction target by 2030. This is the first Australian retail target to be endorsed by the supported Science-Based Targets Initiative by the UN, in accordance with the company’s contribution to limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees.

Since 2015, Woolworths Group has reduced its carbon emissions by approximately 25% through a series of energy efficiency initiatives, including the conversion of LED light and optimization of refrigeration, including the introduction of gas natural refrigerants. Woolworths monitors its energy use in supermarkets through an energy management center that tracks electricity use in real time, identifying peaks and patterns to support energy reduction interventions, reducing energy consumption. some stores up to 10%.