Woolworths Group has entered into a renewable energy partnership with Spanish energy giant Iberdrola to power the retailer’s South Australian operations.

The multi-million dollar nine-year partnership supports the development of the Port Augusta Renewable Energy Park which is the largest hybrid wind-solar farm in the southern hemisphere. 

The park will run 50 turbines and 250,000 solar panels in sequence to supply approximately 100,000 Megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year on the retailer’s behalf.

The electricity sourced from the facility will assist in powering 70 Woolworths supermarkets, 17 Big W stores and the business’ Adelaide Regional Distribution Centre. 

Woolworths Group CEO, Brad Banducci said the state has become the first in the country to have every one of the retailer’s sites to be powered by green energy.

“South Australia has helped lead the transition to renewable energy in Australia, combining solar, wind and batteries to enable us to make this leap forward.”

South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas said the state has long been a world leader in renewable energy and added, “Private capital is now leading the charge in backing clean energy, which presents a big opportunity for South Australian jobs.”

Iberdrola Australia MD and CEO, Ross Rolfe AO said the retailer is helping decarbonise the electricity sector while also preserving the natural environment.

Woolworths represents 1 per cent of the country’s total energy consumption and this shift to green energy in SA is in line with the retailer’s nationwide transition scheduled for completion by 2025.