Co-op is planning to significantly enhance its green energy capacity by installing solar panels at 700 sites across the UK.
- This ambitious project aims to generate 30,000 MWh of solar energy, enough to power 12,500 homes, over three years.
- Co-op’s collaboration with Zestec Renewable Energy will identify appropriate locations for solar panel implementation.
- The initiative is part of Co-op’s strategy to achieve Net Zero operations by 2035 and to lessen dependence on the national grid.
- Heather Thomas, Co-op’s director, emphasises the importance of renewable energy sourcing for the company’s sustainability goals.
Co-op has announced a major initiative to install solar panels across 700 sites within its food, funeral care, and logistics sectors. This strategic move, covering a diverse range of operations nationwide, is envisioned to bolster Co-op’s sustainable energy portfolio significantly. By incorporating up to 76,000 solar panels over the next three years, Co-op targets generating 30,000 MWh of solar energy, a capacity equivalent to the annual energy usage of approximately 12,500 households.
In collaboration with development partner Zestec Renewable Energy, Co-op’s property and procurement teams are set to work diligently over the next 12 months to locate and prepare suitable sites for the solar installations. This partnership underscores Co-op’s commitment to deploying renewable energy solutions effectively and efficiently across its operations.
The initiative is designed to ease the burden on the UK’s national grid infrastructure while supporting Co-op’s pledge to reach Net Zero emissions in its operations by the year 2035. Co-op’s investment in on-site power generation is complemented by their increased engagement in corporate power purchase agreements, which collectively aim to ensure the traceability and renewability of the energy employed in their processes.
Heather Thomas, Co-op’s group property and sustainability director, commented on the significance of this project, stating, “Our investment in onsite power generation across our estate is part of Co-op’s commitment to playing its role in the transition to Net Zero.” This statement reinforces the strategic importance Co-op places on renewable energy as a cornerstone of its operational sustainability goals.
Earlier this year, Co-op took a major step forward in its renewable energy journey by securing a 15-year agreement designed to power the equivalent of 55 of its food stores. This agreement is a testament to Co-op’s ongoing efforts to expedite its path towards decarbonisation, exemplifying the company’s proactive approach in reducing its carbon footprint.
Co-op’s solar panel initiative marks a substantial step in its strategic plan to enhance sustainability and achieve Net Zero emissions by 2035.
