The Arnott’s Group, in partnership with CleanPeak Energy, has unveiled its $12 million solar and battery storage system at its Huntingwood biscuit factory, which will supply approximately 25 per cent of the site’s electricity needs. The company is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year.
The Huntingwood facility spans 44,000 square metres and operates 24/7, producing around 53 per cent of The Arnott’s Group’s total biscuit volume. It employs over 400 people and bakes approximately 56 million kilograms of biscuits annually – including Australian classics such as Tim Tam, Shapes, and Jatz.
The project, funded through the CleanPeak Energy Renewable Investment Trust, features a rooftop installation of 9000 solar panels, expected to generate 6-7 GWh of clean energy annually.
The Arnott’s Group chief procurement officer, Tom Vicars, said the initiative marks a major milestone in the company’s partnership with CleanPeak Energy.
“By generating nearly one-quarter of our energy needs onsite and progressively sourcing the remainder from CleanPeak’s solar farms, we’re making meaningful progress toward our goal of 100 per cent renewable energy by 2029, for the largest site in our network,” said Vicars.
Designed to operate fully behind the meter, the system enhances site efficiency and energy resilience. Complementing the solar array is an 11 MWh DC battery, which helps further reduce reliance on the electricity grid, mitigate peak energy charges and ultimately delivers lower overall energy costs for Arnott’s.
Remaining power requirements will be sourced from a mix of renewable and non-renewable energy, with a growing share coming from CleanPeak’s New South Wales solar farm portfolio.
CleanPeak Energy CEO, Philip Graham, said the project was one of the largest C&I Solar and Battery Energy Storage Systems in the country.
“This installation is proof of what is possible in building renewables where they are directly used in the manufacturing process, and should be a blueprint for industrial players serious about implementing 100 per cent renewable electricity solutions to lower cost,” said Graham.
CleanPeak led the design and delivery of the project, selecting Longi and Sungrow as panel and battery suppliers through a rigorous procurement and due diligence process. Environmental considerations were also front of mind, with landscaping and tree planting undertaken to preserve local biodiversity.
