British groceries giant Tesco has inked a three-contract deal with developer EDF Renewables to buy 60MW of power from a pair of Scottish wind farms and 17 roof-mounted PV installations, an agreement called “a major milestone” in the greening of the supermarket chain.

To support two of the power purchase agreements (PPAs) signed with Tesco, EDF plans to build the 10.8MW Burnfoot East wind farm as an extension of an existing 42MW array by mid-2020, with a second project with a total capacity of 43MW – details of which have yet to be announced – will also be developed.

Tesco UK CEO Jason Tarry said: “Our supply chain and long-term business sustainability depend on the health of the natural environment. Our customers and colleagues expect Tesco to play its part in caring for the planet. This project represents a major milestone in our journey to using 100% renewable electricity by 2030.”

“These projects show the ability of EDF to provide diverse solutions for customers in terms of low cost renewable electricity,” said EDF Renewables UK CEO Matthieu Hue.

“These projects also demonstrate our ability to develop subsidy free solar and wind in the UK as well as underpinning the important part these technologies play in decarbonising the UK electricity system to reach the country’s net zero targets by 2050.”

Among EDF’s international corporate PPA customers are: Microsoft, Procter & Gamble, Kimberly-Clark, Yahoo, Nivea, Danone, Coca Cola and Nestlé.

Companies around Europe signed a record-setting 1.5GW of PPAs for the supply of wind energy last year, taking the total regional volume to-date toward 5GW, according to recent figures from industry advocacy body WindEurope.

Transition

Tesco bags 'major milestone' UK power purchase deal with EDF