Sainsbury’s has signed a 15-year wind power purchase agreement (PPA) with Capital Dynamics for 100% of the electricity generated by the newly operational 34MW Pines Burn wind farm in Scotland.
The 33.6MW site features seven turbines and the electricity produced by them will meet approximately 8% of the supermarket chain’s total annual energy needs across the UK.
Sainsbury’s director of property, procurement and EV ventures Patrick Dunne said: “We are very proud to be celebrating our eighth wind farm in Scotland following the completion of Longhill Burn in West Lothian last autumn.
“A state-of-the-art, sustainable source of new wind power, Pines Burn Wind Farm is helping us take another fantastic step towards reducing our reliance on carbon.
“Sainsbury’s was the first UK retailer to start purchasing wind energy directly to power our business back in 2008.
“Our commitment to the future of Pines Burn, which both enabled its construction and guarantees its long-term viability, builds on our proven track record of investing in sustainable technologies.”
Managing director and co-head of clean energy at Capital Dynamics Barney Coles added: “We are delighted to partner again with Sainsbury’s; this time on the development of Pines Burn Wind Farm.
“This commitment has been instrumental in bringing a new source of cost-effective, clean energy to the UK’s grid.
“Strong corporate partnerships like Sainsbury’s are critical for advancing the UK’s position as a global leader in renewable energy and for meeting national carbon reduction goals.
“We look forward to further collaboration with Sainsbury’s and other forward-thinking companies to accelerate the private sector’s role in the energy transition.”