RWE has signed its first UK solar PPA to provide clean electricity for over 10 years to the UK subsidiary of the global taste and nutrition giant Kerry Group.
The agreement is structured as two separate financial pay-as-produced PPAs and will commit capacity from RWE’s UK solar projects Cotmoor, located in Nottinghamshire, and Copse Lodge in Northamptonshire.
Each of the projects has a potential installed capacity of 49.9MWac with the first, Cotmoor, having already achieved financial investment decision (FID) and beginning full construction works this year.
Copse Lodge Solar Farm is expected to follow in 2025.
Olaf Lubenow, head of commodity solutions UK, North & South Europe of RWE Supply & Trading, said: “Solar power is one of the quickest and easiest renewable technologies to deploy, and can quickly make a significant contribution to the UK’s energy system.
“Through the build-out and operation of our UK portfolio of over 4.4GW of solar projects, our clean electricity can help even more businesses like Kerry Group to decarbonize for the future by sourcing clean green electricity for years to come.
“We’re delighted to be able to support the transition of businesses away from fossil fuel-sourced electricity and to be making a meaningful contribution to the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
Juan Aguriano, global head of sustainability for Kerry, said: “Kerry is committed to the fight against climate change. We intend to reduce our combined Scope 1 & 2 carbon emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050.
“Power purchase agreements represent a key pillar of Kerry’s renewable energy strategy to deliver on these commitments.
“The agreements with RWE are Kerry’s first PPAs in the UK and represent approximately 50% of Kerry’s electricity volume used in the country.
“We are proud to support the UK’s transition to low-carbon electricity and look forward to supporting more projects like these in the future in Europe and around the world.”