Publicly-owned energy company CleanCo has joined forces with Australian retailer Coles to fulfil 95 per cent of its electricity needs in Queensland as the festive season approaches and millions of Queenslanders gear up for Christmas celebrations.
The collaboration leverages renewable energy sourced from Neoen’s recently completed 400MW Western Downs Green Power Hub solar farm, touted as the largest of its kind in Australia, the government revealed in a media statement.
This initiative brings Coles closer to achieving its sustainability target of 100 per cent renewable electricity by June 2025.
When Queensland residents shop at Coles, whether for their cherished Christmas Day prawns or their routine grocery needs, they can be assured that a portion of the energy powering their visit comes from renewable sources. This
According to the government, Coles aligns itself with a growing number of large commercial energy users opting for cleaner, more affordable, and reliable energy sources produced in Queensland.
CleanCo’s investments extend beyond the Western Downs Green Power Hub, encompassing Neoen’s 157MW Kaban Green Power Hub wind farm in Far North Queensland, and the recently inaugurated 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm.
Collectively, these projects contribute a substantial 737MW of renewable energy to Queensland’s sustainable energy landscape.
The construction phase of the Western Down Solar Farm and Kaban Wind Farm projects alone supported over 750 jobs for Queenslanders, with an additional 150 construction jobs facilitated by the Dulacca Wind Farm.
Beyond the construction phase, these projects are set to sustain local employment and make significant contributions to the regional Queensland economy.
According to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Mick de Brenni, individuals entering a Coles store this holiday season will witness firsthand the measures taken by the Queensland Government to establish a clean energy future for Queensland.
“It’s through large companies partnering with Queensland’s publicly owned energy producers that will ensure we reach our target of 70% renewable energy by 2032,” the minister noted.
Coles Queensland State Manager Jo Brown conveyed her appreciation for the landmark partnership, emphasising that more than 95 per cent of their electricity needs in Queensland are now supplied by CleanCo.
“This exciting development builds on the changes we’ve made across the business to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our 100 per cent renewable electricity goals by June 2025,” Brown stated.
CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe discussed the company’s ability to provide tailored, clean energy solutions through its wind and solar assets, supported by a unique portfolio featuring reliable hydro and gas generators.
“At CleanCo, it is our role to develop clean energy solutions that meet the unique needs of companies just like Coles, so that they can thrive in a net-zero future,” he said.
