Woolworths Group has signed a power purchase agreement with CWP Renewables at the 244MW Bango wind farm in New South Wales (NSW).
The PPA, which starts in January 2022 and will last ten years, will cover around 30 per cent of the retail company’s energy needs in NSW.
The electricity produced will be enough to power 108 supermarket, the equivalent of 34,000 homes, an adds to the group’s existing network of rooftop solar panels at around 140 locations across Australia.
Bango is currently in construction and is expected to be online by the end of 2021. Woolworths Group’s PPA will support more than 100 jobs in construction and operation of the wind farm.
Woolworths has targeted a transition to 100% renewable power by 2025 and wants to be net carbon positive by 2050.
Woolworths group director of format Rob McCartney said: “We know the steps we take to become a more sustainable business today will help create a better tomorrow for generations to come.
“Going beyond net carbon neutral, we’ve committed to take more carbon out of the atmosphere than we produce by 2050 and our first renewable power purchase is a key milestone in that pursuit.
“To spur the growth of the industry, we’re prioritising renewable energy from new build projects like the Bango wind farm, which also demonstrates the potential of green energy to deliver investment and jobs to regional areas.”
Chief executive of CWP Renewables Jason Willoughby said: “Woolworths is not only buying renewable energy from Bango Wind Farm, they are also supporting regional NSW and reducing greenhouse gases emission.
“With Woolworths’ decision, CWP Renewables is developing both stages of the approved Bango wind farm and will be generating renewable energy for Woolworths from the start of next year.”