TESCO has signed a new deal to take 150GWh of power each year from a wind farm currently under construction in Dumfries and Galloway.
EDF Renewables commenced construction of the Stranoch Wind Farm earlier this week, with it due to be operational in 2026. Featuring 20 turbines, it will generate 120MW.
The deal will see Tesco take enough clean energy to power the equivalent of more than 80 ‘average-sized’ supermarkets for a year. The retailer signed a similar deal with an EDF wind farm that was opened in North Lanarkshire at the end of February.
The new sites bring the supermarket closer to its target of 60% renewable electricity through power purchase agreements by 2030, with the clean electricity generated providing Tesco with energy to help power stores, electric home delivery vehicles, and EHGVs, as well as air source heat pumps that are used to heat stores.
Tesco said the long-term agreements are central sourcing renewable electricity, guaranteeing procurement over an average 20-year period, giving energy providers confidence to invest, and creating new renewable energy for the National Grid.
To support the renewable electricity roll-out, the supermarket last year announced its ambition to install onsite solar PPAs at 100 stores over the next three years – with solar panels on roofs across the country helping power stores facing into increased electricity demand.
Andy Henley, Tesco corporate finance director, said, “Scaling up the production of clean renewable energy has never been more important, so we’re delighted that five new renewable electricity sites have started generating clean green power for Tesco.
“These new sites are a sign of the strong progress we’re making across our PPA portfolio, and our partnership with EDF Renewables UK, Stranoch, moves us closer towards our target of reaching carbon neutrality in our own operations by 2035.”
Matthieu Hue, chief executive of EDF Renewables UK, commented, “At a time when tackling climate change and energy security are rightly understood as essential, EDF Renewables UK is delighted to work so closely with Tesco on many projects sourced from a large and diverse renewables generation portfolio.
“It is also great that EDF Business Solutions is able to add its market knowledge and trading expertise to allow Tesco a complete supply solution to access clean and affordable energy.
“Overall partnerships like this are pivotal to helping the country to achieve net zero.”
