SYDNEY, 31 Aug 2021: The positive outlook for renewable energy Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) released today provides confidence for businesses looking to switch to 100% renewable electricity, according to Greenpeace Australia Pacific.AEMO’s Electricity Statement of Opportunities has forecast the unstoppable growth of renewables in Australia’s electricity market, reporting that renewable energy could supply 100% of Australia’s electricity demand at certain times by 2025, and that renewables backed by storage will provide a stable, secure electricity supply as ageing coal-burning power stations are finally put to bed.
Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Lindsay Soutar, who leads a campaign working Australian businesses on their transition to 100% renewable electricity, said AEMO’s sunny outlook should spur businesses to move faster on their energy transition.
“Australia’s biggest businesses are already moving quickly on the energy transition, and today’s report from the operators of Australia’s energy grid should instill confidence in any still sitting on the fence – it’s time to seize the opportunity and make the switch to cleaner, cheaper renewable electricity,” she said.
“With investors and customers increasingly demanding strong climate performance, and with coal power in terminal decline, smart Australian businesses like Woolworths, Telstra, Coles and Bunnings have already planned ahead to make the switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2025. ALDI has already reached its 100% renewable electricity target.”
“Switching to 100% renewable electricity is the most effective way for a company to reduce emissions and has huge business benefits including a cheaper, cleaner electricity supply. It’s time for corporate laggards like Optus to make the switch – or risk being left behind.
Tom Daunt, CEO of ALDI Australia, said that his company, one of the country’s biggest supermarket chains, was already seeing the benefits of switching to 100% renewable electricity.
“When we stood back and assessed our environmental footprint as a whole, we determined it made sense to first focus our efforts on the areas we could have the biggest impact. We found 85 per cent of our carbon emissions were derived from the electricity we used to power our operations. To mitigate this we prioritised investments in wind and solar and now our entire business, including all our stores and warehouses, are now fully powered with 100% renewable electricity,” he said.
For more information or to arrange an interview contact Fiona Ivits on 0487 003 872 or [email protected]