ScottishPower Renewables (SPR) has sealed a pivotal agreement with Co-op to provide clean energy sourced from its Coldham solar farm located in Cambridgeshire, England, marking a significant stride towards sustainable energy collaboration.
Under the terms of the agreement, Co-op is set to exclusively utilize 100% of the electricity generated from the Coldham solar farm to power its diverse estate, encompassing food stores, distribution centers, and funeral care homes across the UK, over a span of 15 years.
SPR will deliver a peak capacity of 9 megawatts (MW) of clean energy to Co-op, sufficient to power approximately 55 of the company's food stores, solidifying the commitment of both entities to decarbonize their operations.
Charlie Jordan, Chief Executive of SPR, emphasized the importance of forging partnerships with organizations cognizant of the imperative to decarbonize, stating, “By securing long-term commitments, PPAs provide stability, certainty, and ultimately accelerate our journey towards a greener, more resilient energy landscape.”
The Coldham solar farm, strategically co-located with SPR's existing Coldham wind farm, capitalizes on existing efficiencies in terms of land use, grid connections, and operational elements, enhancing its sustainability credentials.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, Chief Executive of Co-op, underscored the significance of the Coldham solar farm in advancing Co-op's commitment to achieving net zero emissions, stating, “This agreement means more renewable energy will be generated, and in doing so increase energy security, boost economic development and help us achieve net zero in our own operations by 2035.”
Beyond decarbonization objectives, Coldham solar farm holds promise as a habitat for local wildlife, with SPR planting 7500 native trees and a diverse mix of grassland plants, aligning with broader biodiversity conservation efforts.
Coldham stands as a flagship endeavor among SPR's large-scale clean energy developments in the East Anglia region, emblematic of the collaborative efforts underway to propel the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape.
