Coles' game-changing deal with Origin: 100 stores to go solar! Are you shopping at one of them?
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It’s no secret that we here at the Seniors Discount Club don’t always see eye-to-eye with big companies, but we have to give credit where credit is due, and when two Australian giants, the supermarket force Coles, and energy mogul, Origin Energy, join hands, you know something electrifying is on the way.
Recently, these titans have entered into a game-changing deal that would see both corporations co-invest in renewable energy, reducing their carbon footprints by a great deal. The plan? Installing 20 megawatts (enough to power approximately 9000 homes) of solar panels atop 100 Coles supermarkets and liquor stores across the nation over the next three years.
That's right, your local Coles might soon be harnessing the limitless energy of the Aussie sun to power its operations.
The collaboration between Coles and Origin aims to decrease each participating store’s electricity consumption from the traditional grid by around 20% on average. The goal is to help Coles reach their aim of relying solely on renewable electricity by June 2025. That's a shopping experience we can all feel good about.
![compressed-030823 Origin Energy Image.jpeg compressed-030823 Origin Energy Image.jpeg](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/26/26850-b500e5250b7e9a684de384d9bcc291d1.jpg)
The ambitious initiative begins with connecting solar panels, batteries, and energy assets like in-store heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems to Origin. This not only eases the pressure on the energy grid during peak demand but also efficiently captures and stores excess renewable electricity generated on-site at these stores.
Installation is already underway at six stores in Victoria, with the rest of the Coles supermarkets, Vintage Cellars, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores preparing to follow suit by 2026.
This is great news not just for the environment, but also for Coles and their customers, as this collaborative effort aims to bring down operational costs. By extension, that could mean potentially lower prices for shoppers (though we won’t be holding our breath!)
Jane Mansfield, the Head of Energy at Coles, said this collaboration is a valuable step towards their ultimate goal: a 100% renewable electricity target. 'Over the next three years, we expect to install solar panels on 100 Coles supermarkets and liquor stores. These stores will have, on average, up to 20% of their electricity needs met by renewable electricity generated on-site,' she added.
Origin, in turn, is a leading Australian energy company with an emphasis on natural gas.
Origin Zero, a branch of Origin, partners with large businesses to help meet their energy needs and guide them on their journey toward cleaner and smarter energy solutions.
Origin Zero's Executive General Manager, James Magill, expressed his excitement about supporting Coles' transition to cleaner energy solutions, stating, 'This is a landmark alliance between two of Australia’s leading retailers across supermarkets and energy which will see the companies co-invest in renewable energy and battery assets to help deliver greater emissions reductions for Coles.'
We know that not all SDC members are on the ‘climate change train’, but regardless of where you stand on that particular issue, businesses investing in renewable energy can only be a good thing, as it extends the lifespan of non-renewable resources like coal and gas.
For frequent shoppers at Coles, this should be an exciting green energy transition, not just for the possible cost savings but for its positive impact on the planet.
What are your thoughts on this, members? Tell us below!
Recently, these titans have entered into a game-changing deal that would see both corporations co-invest in renewable energy, reducing their carbon footprints by a great deal. The plan? Installing 20 megawatts (enough to power approximately 9000 homes) of solar panels atop 100 Coles supermarkets and liquor stores across the nation over the next three years.
That's right, your local Coles might soon be harnessing the limitless energy of the Aussie sun to power its operations.
The collaboration between Coles and Origin aims to decrease each participating store’s electricity consumption from the traditional grid by around 20% on average. The goal is to help Coles reach their aim of relying solely on renewable electricity by June 2025. That's a shopping experience we can all feel good about.
![compressed-030823 Origin Energy Image.jpeg compressed-030823 Origin Energy Image.jpeg](https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/data/attachments/26/26850-b500e5250b7e9a684de384d9bcc291d1.jpg)
Coles and Origin are teaming up to install solar systems on 100 stores. Source: Coles/Origin and The National Tribune
The ambitious initiative begins with connecting solar panels, batteries, and energy assets like in-store heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems to Origin. This not only eases the pressure on the energy grid during peak demand but also efficiently captures and stores excess renewable electricity generated on-site at these stores.
Installation is already underway at six stores in Victoria, with the rest of the Coles supermarkets, Vintage Cellars, Liquorland and First Choice Liquor Market stores preparing to follow suit by 2026.
This is great news not just for the environment, but also for Coles and their customers, as this collaborative effort aims to bring down operational costs. By extension, that could mean potentially lower prices for shoppers (though we won’t be holding our breath!)
Jane Mansfield, the Head of Energy at Coles, said this collaboration is a valuable step towards their ultimate goal: a 100% renewable electricity target. 'Over the next three years, we expect to install solar panels on 100 Coles supermarkets and liquor stores. These stores will have, on average, up to 20% of their electricity needs met by renewable electricity generated on-site,' she added.
Origin, in turn, is a leading Australian energy company with an emphasis on natural gas.
Origin Zero, a branch of Origin, partners with large businesses to help meet their energy needs and guide them on their journey toward cleaner and smarter energy solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Retail giant Coles and energy firm Origin have entered into a landmark agreement to co-invest in renewable energy and battery assets at up to 100 Coles locations nationally.
- Over the next three years, Coles aims to install 20 megawatts of solar panels on 100 stores, with batteries also installed at one-third of these stores.
- This initiative is part of Coles' goal to achieve 100% renewable energy use by June 2025 and aims to reduce each participating store’s electricity usage from the grid by 20%.
- Origin, a leading Australian energy company, will provide solutions like solar, batteries, energy efficiency, and demand management to support Coles in making the transition to cleaner energy.
We know that not all SDC members are on the ‘climate change train’, but regardless of where you stand on that particular issue, businesses investing in renewable energy can only be a good thing, as it extends the lifespan of non-renewable resources like coal and gas.
For frequent shoppers at Coles, this should be an exciting green energy transition, not just for the possible cost savings but for its positive impact on the planet.
What are your thoughts on this, members? Tell us below!