UK supermarket group Tesco has committed to offtake clean power from five new onshore wind farms and one solar park all slated to start operations in 2020.
The commitment is the next step in the retailer’s commitment to use 100% renewable electricity across its operations by 2030 and save 90,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
As part of the initiative Tesco will also install solar panels across 187 of its UK stores.
The projects will create more than 400 new jobs in the UK renewables industry, said Tesco.
Three confirmed onshore wind projects are in Scotland. They are the 10.8MW Burnfoot East project, being developed by EDF, Inverclyde, developed by BayWa RE and Halsary, developed by ScottishPower.
EDF is also developing a 43MW wind farm as part of Tesco’s initiative, though details have not been provided at this stage.
The solar panel installations on Tesco stores will contribute to the company’s goal of generating 10% of the electricity it uses on-site by 2030.
EDF Renewables UK will install solar PV panels on 17 Tesco stores across England totalling 5MW, as part of the retailer’s commitment to going 100% renewable.
Tesco UK and Republic of Ireland chief executive Jason Tarry said: “Our supply chain and long-term business sustainability depend on the health of the natural environment. This project represents a major milestone in our journey to using 100% renewable electricity by 2030.”
WWF climate change specialist Sean Mallon said: “It’s encouraging to see Tesco taking such positive steps towards reaching its goal to use 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
“As part of our long-term partnership, WWF will be supporting Tesco to accelerate this ambition. All businesses must act with increased ambition and urgency to reduce emissions and end our contribution to climate change. We are the last generation who can stop this crisis from becoming a catastrophe.”