Cargill has commissioned a 2.58 megawatt (MW) onsite solar array at its Newcastle crush plant, marking the company’s first large-scale renewable energy project in Australia and a milestone in its efforts to cut emissions and strengthen energy resilience across its local operations.
The solar array is expected to generate more than 4200 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity each year. The project is forecast to reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2700 tonnes of CO₂ annually, equivalent to the electricity consumption of around 700 New South Wales households.
Cargill said the asset is the first fully built and owned renewable energy project operated by a bulk handler and oilseed processor in Australia. The company owns the solar array and retains all renewable energy certificates generated onsite.
The project contributes to Cargill’s global ambition to reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25 per cent by 2035 and supports the use of lower-carbon energy inputs in food and agricultural manufacturing.
Cargill senior director, Regional Operations SSEA-Australia, Nick Ebrill, said the initiative was about the company taking “real, practical steps” towards sustainability.
“By integrating renewable energy directly into our manufacturing infrastructure, we reduce emissions, enhance resilience and create lasting value. It is a strong example of what can be achieved when persistence and local insight come together to drive bold, transformative outcomes,” Ebrill said.
The Newcastle crush plant produces canola oil, cottonseed oil, and animal meals, with renewable electricity now directly supporting these operations. Cargill said generating power onsite also strengthens supply chain resilience by reducing exposure to energy market volatility, helping to stabilise operating costs and improve reliability for customers.
The solar investment sits alongside Cargill’s broader expansion of its Australian oilseed processing network. In 2023, the company announced a $100 million investment to upgrade and expand its Newcastle, Narrabri and Footscray facilities to meet growing demand for food, feed and renewable fuels.
Cargill Australia has also rolled out additional sustainability initiatives in recent years, including the Sustain Connect program announced in 2024, as part of its strategy to lower the environmental footprint of its local operations.
The company said the Newcastle solar project demonstrates how practical, scalable investments can support a more resilient and lower-carbon future for Australia’s food and agriculture sector as emissions reduction and transparency become increasingly central to supply chain expectations.
