The first Tesco windfarm is up and running and generating renewable energy for the grocer’s stores.
The Halsary windfarm in Caithness, Scotland arrives in partnership with Scottish Power and is touted as the largest ever unsubsidised renewable energy Power Purchase Agreement.
This Tesco windfarm source of green energy will also drive progress towards the grocer’s UK eco commitments, as it looks to become a net zero business by 2035.
The 30MW 15-turbine Halsary windfarm is expected to provide enough clean energy to power the equivalent of almost 20,000 homes a year. It will ensure Tesco stores are powered directly from renewable sources and aims to make renewable energy cheaper and more accessible for other parts of the UK.
In 2019 the supermarket chain announced a major project to source green electricity directly from five windfarms, including with EDF at Burnfoot East, Camilty, and West Benhar, and with BayWa r.e. in Inverclyde. The Halsary Tesco windfarm is the first to go live.
Jason Tarry, Tesco UK & Republic of Ireland CEO, said: “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.”
He added: “Now is the time to accelerate our efforts to tackle the biggest challenge of our lifetime.”
Lindsay McQuade, CEO Scottish Power Renewables, commented: “Halsary is the first Scottish Power windfarm to be developed without a government support scheme and we’re very proud its completion will bring more clean energy on to the grid and support Tesco’s net zero ambitions.”
Ivan Mckee, minister for business, trade & enterprise in Scotland, remarked: “The decarbonisation of the electricity sector has been a major success of Scotland’s energy policy over the past decade and I am pleased to see this significant partnership between Tesco and Scottish Power going live.”
[Image credit: Tesco]
