Co-op has embarked on a new 15-year agreement to ramp up its renewable energy usage, aiming to power the equivalent of 55 food stores as part of its ongoing efforts towards decarbonization.
Under the terms of the deal, the convenience retailer will utilize 100% of the electricity generated from a nine-megawatt solar farm located in Coldham, Cambridgeshire, owned by ScottishPower Renewables, as reported by The Grocer.
The output from the 19,000 solar panels will be distributed across Co-op’s distribution centers and funeral homes.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Co-op’s chief executive, emphasized the significance of the Coldham solar farm in the company’s journey towards achieving net zero emissions.
“The launch of Coldham solar farm, as a result of our PPA with ScottishPower Renewables, shows Co-op’s commitment to achieving net zero,” said Khoury-Haq. “This agreement means more renewable energy will be generated, increasing energy security, boosting economic development, and helping us achieve net zero in our own operations by 2035.”
While acknowledging the importance of government action in decarbonizing the grid, Khoury-Haq stressed the role of businesses in driving environmental sustainability.
“This solar farm is a further step in Co-op’s approach to renewable energy procurement through a mixture of PPAs and embedded generation,” she added.
This move follows Co-op’s previous initiative in November, wherein the company secured a 15-year deal for the entire output of a 34-megawatt solar farm. This farm is projected to supply electricity to over 170 of its food stores or 500 Funeralcare homes.