ALDI has pledged to using 100% renewable electricity to power its Australian operations by the end of next year.
The retailer will look to ramp up its solar installation program and has recently secured two ten-year Power Purchasing Agreements (PPAs) with wind farms in the Southern Tablelands of NSW and Western VIC, which will power its stores in both states. ALDI has said these will result in a reduction of 160,000t of carbon emissions each year.
It will also use rooftop solar on its sites to harness 15% of its energy use, setting a target of installing 120,000 panels across 250 stores and six distribution centres by the end of this year. If successful, it will be the largest commercial and industrial solar rollout in Australia.
ALDI is the 64th biggest consumer of electricity in Australia and has committed to reducing its footprint through a range of existing measures such as using LED lighting and energy efficient chillers, natural refrigerants and its current solar power use across 175 of its stores.
ALDI Australia CEO Tom Daunt said they were serious about reducing their impact.
“ALDI is the first to admit that it still has trucks on the road and an extensive supply chain that relies on fossil fuels. We will continue to work within our business and closely with our business partners to reduce emissions and preference renewable sources of energy,” Mr Daunt said.
“Our commitment to only use renewable electricity is just one of many milestones we will announce as we drive towards our vision of zero carbon emissions.”
The pledge brings the retailer in line with the company’s international target to reduce emissions. ALDI also announced it had successfully reduced its overall operational emissions by 40%, based on its 2012 baseline target.