Co-op has finalized a significant long-term agreement to power the equivalent of 55 of its food stores with renewable energy generated from a solar farm located in Coldham, Cambridgeshire.
In a 15-year deal, the convenience retailer will procure all the electricity output from 19,000 solar panels installed at the nine-megawatt site, which is owned by ScottishPower Renewables.
Additionally, Co-op announced that it will share the electricity sourced for its distribution centers and funeral homes, marking a crucial step in its journey towards decarbonization.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, CEO of Co-op, expressed the company’s commitment to achieving net zero, stating, “The launch of Coldham solar farm, as a result of our PPA with ScottishPower Renewables, shows Co-op’s commitment to achieving net zero.”
Khoury-Haq further emphasized the significance of the agreement in generating more renewable energy, enhancing energy security, stimulating economic development, and aiding Co-op’s objective of achieving net zero in its own operations by 2035.
Highlighting the importance of such partnerships, ScottishPower Renewables CEO Charlie Jordan stated, “We’re delighted to partner with companies that understand the importance of decarbonising their operations.”
This latest Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) follows Co-op’s recent commitment to a 15-year contract for the entire output of a 34-megawatt solar farm situated in North Yorkshire. Expected to be operational in 2025, this solar farm is projected to contribute 7.5% of Co-op’s electricity supply.