Australia’s largest solar farm powers up Coles this Christmas

• Publicly-owned CleanCo is providing Coles with 95 per cent of its electricity needs in Queensland
• Renewable energy from Australia’s largest solar farm is now supporting a clean energy future at Coles
• Unique partnership represents the future of public and private cooperation for more sustainable future

As millions of Queenslanders prepare for their Christmas celebrations, the Palaszczuk Government is supporting Coles’ transition to a clean energy future.

Publicly owned energy company CleanCo is partnering with Australian retailer Coles to provide 95 per cent of its electricity needs in Queensland.

Under the partnership, renewable energy from Neoen’s recently completed 400MW Western Downs Green Power Hub solar farm – the largest in Australia – is helping bring Coles one step closer to their sustainability goals of 100 per cent renewable electricity by June 2025.

From buying their beloved Christmas Day prawns, to their usual grocery shop, Queenslanders can be confident that when they shop at Coles, their visit is being powered in part by renewables thanks to public investment in Queensland energy assets.

Coles joins a chorus of large commercial energy users choosing to take up cleaner, cheaper and more reliable energy, produced in Queensland.

CleanCo’s investment in the Western Downs Green Power Hub, as well as Neoen’s 157MW Kaban Green Power Hub wind farm in Far North Queensland, and the recently opened 180MW Dulacca Wind Farm, means a total of 737MW of renewable energy is now contributing to Queensland’s clean energy future.

Through construction, the Western Down Solar Farm and Kaban Wind Farm projects supported more than 750 jobs for Queenslanders, and the Dulacca Wind Farm supported a further 150 construction jobs. In operation these projects will continue to provide local jobs and make significant contributions to the regional Queensland economy.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, The Honourable Mick de Brenni MP:

“Everyone stepping into a Coles this holiday season will be seeing firsthand the steps the Palaszczuk Government is taking to deliver a clean energy future for Queensland.

“It’s through large companies partnering with Queensland’s publicly owned energy producers that will ensure we reach our target of 70% renewable energy by 2032.

“This arrangement is further proof of the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to work with innovative, forward thinking corporations who share our vision to transition to a clean energy future.

“This is a fantastic achievement for Coles, the Palaszczuk Government and CleanCo as we make further progress in Queensland’s renewable energy transformation.”

Quotes attributable to CleanCo Customer, Coles Queensland State Manager, Jo Brown:

“Thanks to the completion of the country’s largest solar farm and this landmark partnership, more than 95 per cent of our electricity needs in Queensland  are supplied by CleanCo.

"This exciting development builds on the changes we’ve made across the business to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our 100 per cent renewable electricity goals by June 2025.” 

Quotes attributable to CleanCo CEO, Tom Metcalfe:

“CleanCo’s wind and solar assets, backed by our unique portfolio of reliable hydro and gas generators, means we can provide the tailored, clean energy solutions our customers need to decarbonise in an affordable and sustainable way.

“Coles is such an iconic brand – one that all Queenslanders recognise and rely on.

"At CleanCo, it is our role to develop clean energy solutions that meet the unique needs of companies just like Coles, so that they can thrive in a net-zero future.”

“CleanCo is proud to partner with an organisation with such a strong commitment to sustainability.”

Quotes attributable to Neoen CEO, Louis de Sambucy:

“We are delighted that Kaban and Western Downs, our two newest assets in operation and our first in Queensland, are providing such significant volumes of locally produced clean energy to our valued customer and partner CleanCo.

"Through this partnership we are proud to be powering so many Queensland businesses with solar and wind energy.”

ENDS