Woolworths signs PPA for 244 MW onshore wind farm in Australia

CWP Renewables and Woolworths announced they have signed a 10-year power purchase agreement (PPA) to inject 195,000MWh of green electricity generated by the 244 MW Bango onshore wind farm to cover around 30% of the Groups' energy needs in New South Wales. 

The agreement will start in January 2022 and is part of the Woolworths target of transition to 100% renewable power by 2025. The electricity produced by the wind farm will be used to power 108 supermarkets, avoiding up to 158,000 tones of CO2 emissions per year. This is the equivalent of the annual energy needs of around 34,000 homes. The 244 MW Bango wind farm is currently under construction and is expected to become operational by the end of 2021. 

Rob McCartney, Woolworths Group Director of Format, said: “To spur the growth of the industry, we’re prioritizing renewable energy from new build projects like the Bango wind farm, which also demonstrates the potential of green energy to deliver investment and jobs to regional areas.” 

The PPA will support more than 100 jobs in the construction and operation of the Bango offshore wind project. The farm will pay rent to local landholders, who are hosting wind turbines in their sites, and CWP Renewables will establish an AUD14 million (USD10.85 million) fund for the community projects.