Woolworths Group has achieved 100 per cent renewable electricity powering its business across Australia and New Zealand, a goal initially set in 2020. The milestone is projected to deliver a reduction of over 74 per cent in operational emissions, moving the company closer towards its target of a 80 per cent reduction by 2030.
South Australia was the first state where Woolworths Group hit its goal, partnering with Iberdrola Australia in 2022 to source energy from the wind turbines and solar network at Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park. In mid-2023, the company also signed an eight-year deal with SmartestEnergy Australia to supply all its energy needs in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
Today, Woolworths Group sources more than two-thirds of its electricity requirements through strategic partnerships and contracts across both Australia and New Zealand that leverage a mix of wind and solar, as well as its own network of more than 320 on-site solar power systems.
The partnerships are complemented by contracts that support renewable electricity investment through the supply of large scale generation certificate arrangements which match the company’s consumption.
Woolworths has prioritised investment in new renewable electricity projects for its electricity sourced from third parties, rather than existing infrastructure, to increase capacity in the national grid.
The company stated energy efficiency continues to be a priority, with network-wide initiatives including refrigeration upgrades, more efficient equipment, LED lighting, store infrastructure retrofits, and design and construction optimisation of new distribution centres underway. Real-time monitoring at the Group’s Energy Management Centre pinpoints peaks, identifies patterns and provides targeted intervention when unexpected consumption spikes are identified.
Woolworths Group chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer, Simon Lowden, said every supermarket, BIG W store, distribution centre, and other Woolworths Group facility across Australia and New Zealand has been running solely on renewable electricity since December 2025.
“We have an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the country’s clean energy future, which is why we have intentionally backed renewable projects rather than drawing on existing supply,” said Lowden.
“Our energy decisions have real weight in shifting the grid toward renewable sources. By contracting directly with renewable electricity generators and supporting new build assets, we believe that’s the way for a business like ours to add capacity.
“For example, across 14 of our distribution centres, we host some of the largest rooftop solar installations in the country, making us one of the largest commercial solar operators in Australian retail. This on-site generation meaningfully reduces grid demand during peak hours, giving us energy independence where it matters most and putting less pressure on the network that communities rely on,” he said.
Head to woolworthsgroup.com.au for further information on the company’s sustainability initiatives.
