Aust companies plug into solar

Asahi Beverages and BaptistCare have each partnered with Flow Power to source and offset energy from New England Solar, one of Australia’s largest renewable energy facilities.

Under the agreements with Flow Power, the two companies will purchase an amount of renewable energy that New England Solar will then put into the grid, while the equivalent amount consumed by Asahi and BaptistCare will be recognised as having zero emissions from 2025.

This will be the second power purchase agreement (PPA) Asahi Beverages has signed with Flow Power, moving it closer to its target of having 100% of its purchased electricity sourced from or offset by renewables by 2025.

BaptistCare, a leading provider of aged care and community services in NSW, ACT and WA, has also signed two PPAs with Flow Power, one of which is linked to New England Solar and commences in 2025.

Asahi, which produces drinks such as Great Northern, Victoria Bitter, Schweppes, Cool Ridge water and Solo, will purchase 30,000 MWh annually — the equivalent of powering nearly 4400 homes in NSW for a year — under the new agreement with Flow Power.

BaptistCare’s 10-year solar-and-wind PPA will source an estimated 15,000 MWh annually, allowing the company to reduce the carbon footprint of its NSW and ACT operations by 70%.

“We are thrilled to be an ongoing part of Asahi and BaptistCare’s journey towards 100% renewable electricity,” said Byron Serjeantson, COO at Flow Power.

“At Flow Power, we are proud to partner with projects that set the industry standard for sustainability and community consultation. So, it’s only fitting that Asahi and BaptistCare will be linking their energy use to New England Solar — a project that has raised the bar for strong community engagement and support, including host landowners and First Nations communities.”

When fully developed at 720 MW, New England Solar, an ACEN Australia project, is expected to power an estimated 300,000 homes a year. New England Solar has attracted strong local community support and has already delivered $200,000 in community grants, with $7m to be invested through ACEN’s Social Investment Program. An additional 1.5% of the project’s value has been committed to First Nations’ participation and employment.

ACEN Australia Managing Director David Pollington said the agreement with Flow Power is another milestone for New England Solar, which is ACEN Australia’s inaugural project and a major contributor to the NEM.

“We have a bold strategy to help Australia transition to a clean energy future, and we are excited by this offtake with Flow Power, enabling us to bring more renewable energy projects to life and clean electricity for Australian homes and businesses,” Pollington said.

Image credit: iStock.com/Eakarat Buanoi