New partnerships with Flow Power to source electricity from New England Solar will move iconic Australian organisations closer to renewable energy targets.
Asahi Beverages and BaptistCare have taken significant steps towards their sustainability goals by partnering with Flow Power to source and offset energy from New England Solar, the largest solar project in NSW and equal-largest in the National Electricity Market (NEM).
These agreements with Flow Power, a fast-growing renewable energy retailer, underscore each organisation’s ongoing commitment to meeting their renewable energy targets.
Asahi Beverages, one of Australia’s leading beverages companies, has signed another Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Flow Power, moving closer to its target of having 100% of purchased electricity sourced from 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 commencing in 2025.
The arrangements will see Asahi and BaptistCare purchase an amount of renewable energy that New England Solar will put into the grid, and the equivalent amount consumed by Asahi Beverages and BaptistCare will be recognised as having zero emissions from 2025.
The new partnerships were unveiled today at an onsite event at New England Solar, near Uralla.
Asahi will purchase 30,000 megawatt hours (MWh) annually – the equivalent of powering nearly 4,400 homes in NSW for a year – under this new agreement with Flow Power.
It also means Asahi is now powering production of its iconic drinks such as Great Northern, Victoria Bitter, Schweppes, Cool Ridge water and Solo with energy linked to sunshine harvested in New England.
For BaptistCare, its ten-year solar-and-wind PPA will source an estimated 15,000 MWh annually. This allows them to reduce the carbon footprint of their NSW and ACT operations by 70% and plays a key role in the organisation’s plan to become net zero no later than 2050.
As an organisation that cares for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, BaptistCare is leading the aged care sector in the transition to a renewable energy future, demonstrating their commitment to caring for people and the planet.
Speaking at the event, Asahi Beverages’ Group Head of Sustainability, Kirsten Sturzaker, said:
“This deal to harness the New England sun helps provide certainty for securing long-term energy supply for our customers and consumers while benefitting the planet. Victoria Bitter is already brewed with 100% offset solar energy and we look forward to all our brands soon being made in similar ways (with our purchased electricity sourced from or offset by renewables). We have a broad sustainability agenda, from energy to packaging and more, and we raise a glass to the important role New England Solar plays in this.”
Thomas Griffiths, Head of Strategy & Investments for BaptistCare NSW, ACT and WA said:
“We are proud to be a part of this partnership and the creation of a just energy transition. We care for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, and this PPA, paired with other initiatives, is one part of our commitment to caring for people and planet. In addition to sustainability benefits, the project also delivers cost certainty and strong business outcomes, and we encourage others in the sector to actively consider how they can also play a role in accelerating this renewables transition.”
Byron Serjeantson, COO, Flow Power commented:
“We are thrilled to be an ongoing part of Asahi and BaptistCare’s journey towards 100% renewable electricity.”
“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.”
New England Solar, an ACEN Australia project, at full development of 720MW 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 the company’s inaugural project, New England Solar, which stands as 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.”
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