We have signed an agreement with CleanCo, the Queensland Government-owned renewables, low emissions, and hydro company, to source electricity from 100% renewable sources for our Queensland portfolio of Westfield Living Centres from 2025.
The agreement is consistent with our transition plan to achieve net zero emissions by 2030.
Scentre Group CFO and CEO-Elect Elliott Rusanow said: “We consider responsible, sustainable business a key part of our strategy and ambition to grow.
“We have a strong track record on sustainability, having already reduced our emissions by 30% since Scentre Group was established in 2014. This agreement will help us deliver our interim emission reduction target of 50% by 2025.
“This is the second agreement we’ve completed. In January 2022 we moved our New Zealand Westfield Living Centres to 100% renewable electricity.”
Renewable electricity procurement is one of the ways we will deliver on our net zero target alongside optimising asset efficiency through initiatives like LED lighting installation, building management system enhancements and the generation of onsite renewable energy.
In 2021 Scentre Group generated 7,931 MWh from solar installations at Westfield Carousel, Coomera, Kotara, Marion and Plenty Valley. As part of our investment in Westfield Knox and Westfield Fountain Gate in Victoria, new onsite solar installations will generate an additional 6,200 MWh. This will increase our total portfolio solar generation capacity by over 75%.
Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, The Hon Mick de Brenni, said the deal was another major step for renewable energy made and delivered in Queensland.
“Every time Queenslanders visit a Westfield centre in Queensland, they are now supporting Queensland renewable jobs and Queensland’s net zero goals,” Mr de Brenni said.
Renewable electricity will be provided to our Queensland Westfield centres primarily from the Western Downs Green Power Hub, Kaban Green Power Hub, and the Dulacca Wind Farm, where CleanCo has power purchase agreements in place.