CONSTRUCTION has been completed on the build of a Highland wind farm built specifically to support the green energy needs of Tesco.
The ScottishPower Renewables wind farm in Caithness is now generating enough clean energy for the equivalent of almost 20,000 homes and will help power the supermarket’s stores across the country.
It was built as part of a power purchase agreement (PPA), making it the first ScottishPower wind farm to be built without a government support scheme. PPA allows developers to invest in and build new green infrastructure projects with a clear route to market, while corporate customers benefit from a trusted source of clean energy, certainty and transparency in relation to energy costs, and a reduction in their own carbon footprint.
Lindsay McQuade, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables, said, “The UK needs to quadruple the amount of clean renewable energy available over the next 30 years if we’re to have any chance of meeting net zero targets and tackling the climate emergency, which is a massive challenge. Onshore wind is the cheapest form of generating electricity in the UK, so it’s the ideal way for businesses to purchase clean energy and go green – at scale and at pace – and it’s great to see there’s a growing market for these types of partnerships.
“With less than 100 days to the COP26 UN climate change summit in Glasgow, we all need to do our bit for a cleaner and greener future – the energy sector, government, business and communities. We’re excited to be supporting Tesco in reaching its sustainability and climate goals from our new wind farm – we know every little helps if we’re all going to enjoy a cleaner, greener and better future, quicker.”
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK and ROI CEO added, “This is a critical year for climate action and these long-term renewable energy agreements are crucial to securing Tesco’s future energy needs and meeting our net zero commitments. These partnerships will also help create more affordable access to renewable energy and support the UK in realising its climate change targets.
“Real change requires that businesses now start moving from making commitments to driving transformative action. Now is the time to accelerate our efforts to tackle the biggest challenge of our lifetime.”
