Westfield centres to be powered by Qld renewables
Queensland’s publicly owned energy generator and retailer CleanCo has struck a major agreement with the Scentre Group to provide renewable energy for its Westfield centres across the state.
Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen and Minister for Public Works and Procurement The Honourable Mick de Brenni said the deal, which is the first of its kind for Scentre Group in Australia, was another major step for renewable energy made and delivered in Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk government has a target to reach 50% renewable energy generation by 2030 and we congratulate Scentre Group for joining us on this journey,” de Brenni said.
“Every time Queenslanders visit a Queensland Westfield, they will be supporting Queensland jobs and Queensland’s net zero goals.
“CleanCo is unique in its remit — a government-owned corporation that is leading the energy transformation in Queensland from the beginning to end of the supply chain; building and investing in projects and selling electricity to customers at the other end.”
Renewable electricity will be provided for Scentre Group primarily from the Western Downs Green Power Hub, Kaban Green Power Hub and the Dulacca Wind Farm, where CleanCo has power purchase agreements in place.
De Brenni said that combined, these projects supported more than 850 jobs, many in regional areas.
The announcement with Scentre Group follows a similarly large deal struck by CleanCo with Australian retail giant Wesfarmers in March, to provide renewable energy to Kmart, Target, Bunnings and Officeworks.
CleanCo CEO Tom Metcalfe said the company was proud to be supporting Scentre Group to achieve its net zero aspirations.
“This deal is another example of how businesses are leading the way to help the state reach net zero, and how CleanCo is supporting businesses [to] meet their own targets,” Metcalfe said.
“Agreements like this one with Scentre Group underpin our own target of bringing 1400 MW of new renewable energy into the market by 2025, while supporting the Queensland Government’s 50% renewable energy by 2030 target.”
Scentre Group CEO-Elect Elliott Rusanow said sustainability was a key part of the company’s strategy and growth.
“We have a strong track record on sustainability, having already reduced our emissions by 30% since Scentre Group was established in 2014,” Rusanow said.
“The agreement with CleanCo will enable us to deliver our 50% emission reduction target by 2025 and is part of our plan to get to net zero by 2030.”
Sydney Zoo makes the switch to solar
In partnership with EnergyAustralia, Sydney Zoo has transitioned to solar power for a substantial...
Heat-resistant batteries trialled in remote WA
ARENA will supply $2.85 million in funding to trial two novel long-duration batteries at remote...
Aust solar PV manufacturing gets $1bn boost
The Solar Sunshot program aims to grow domestic solar PV manufacturing while providing a pathway...
