Tesco has embarked on a pioneering initiative to enhance its sustainability efforts.
- The company has signed a significant deal to power 144 stores with solar energy.
- This deal involves the acquisition of almost two-thirds of the electricity from Cleve Hill solar park.
- The £450m solar park is developed by Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners.
- The initiative marks a substantial progression in Tesco’s journey towards carbon neutrality.
Tesco has taken a major step towards reducing its carbon footprint by securing a deal to purchase solar energy sufficient to power 144 of its large stores. This project will see the supermarket giant acquiring nearly two-thirds of the electricity produced by the Cleve Hill solar park located in Kent.
The Cleve Hill solar park represents a landmark in renewable energy, covering an extensive area near Faversham with over 560,000 solar panels. In addition to generating renewable power, the site is equipped with energy storage infrastructure. This facility is touted as a “significant contributor to the UK’s renewable energy landscape,” with EDF providing the necessary power balancing and shaping services to support this considerable agreement.
Construction of the solar park commenced early last year, and it is anticipated to become operational by the beginning of next year. This timeline underscores Tesco’s commitment to swiftly advancing its energy sustainability initiatives. According to industry sources, the deal is considered the largest corporate power purchase agreement for a solar farm within the United Kingdom, emphasising Tesco’s leadership in the adoption of green technologies.
Ken Murphy, CEO of Tesco, expresses his enthusiasm, stating, “We’re delighted to be announcing such a significant step in our journey towards carbon neutrality across our own operations by 2035.” Murphy highlights the dual benefits of this project: the provision of vital energy storage and its role as an integral part of the UK’s renewable energy strategy. This reflects Tesco’s ongoing efforts over the past five years to implement energy projects that source green electricity directly from wind farms and solar parks across the nation.
With the introduction of Cleve Hill, Tesco’s power purchase agreements are poised to cover 45% of the UK operation’s expected electricity demand by 2030, translating to 36% of the group’s total demand. This figure illustrates a substantial commitment to sustainability, as Tesco leverages innovative projects to address climate change proactively.
Tesco’s agreement with Cleve Hill solar park marks a significant advancement in its renewable energy strategy, underlining its commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality by 2035.
