Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) will reach its goal of using 100% renewable power for its Australian operations by January 1, 2025, a year ahead of its deadline. This milestone will be achieved through a 10-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with ENGIE.
CCEP Boosts Renewable Energy Transition in Australia
In 2021, CCEP became part of the global RE100 initiative, pledging to run its Australian operations entirely on renewable electricity by the end of 2025. Since then, the company has accelerated its efforts by investing in rooftop solar panels at its production facilities across Australia and securing several important power purchase agreements.
The new 10-year agreement with ENGIE allows CCEP to secure the remaining energy needed to meet its RE100 commitment, marking a significant milestone in its path to net zero.
“As the maker and distributor of some of the world’s most popular beverages, we have set a series of ambitious targets to reduce our carbon footprint and environmental impact. To reach our renewable electricity goal in Australia, we have engaged in strategic power purchase agreements and made the most of our rooftop real estate with solar panels at many of our facilities across the country," said Orlando Rodriguez, Managing Director at CCEP Australia.
“Our partnership with ENGIE and the signing of the VPPA agreement has accelerated our transition to reach our RE100 target in Australia a full year early. This will make CCEP one of the first FMCG players in the country to achieve the RE100 commitment and is an important milestone for our business,” Orlando Rodriguez added.
CCEP Secures Renewable Energy from Wellington North Solar Farm
Through its PPA with ENGIE, CCEP will purchase a portion of renewable energy and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) from the newly constructed Wellington North Solar Farm, owned by Lightsource bp. Located in the Orana region of New South Wales between Wellington and Dubbo, the site covers around 970 hectares—over three times the size of Sydney's CBD.
With over 1.2 million solar panels, the farm can generate 925,000 MWh of renewable electricity annually. It has also delivered economic benefits to the local community, creating up to 400 local construction jobs.
“We are excited to support Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, a leading manufacturer in Australia, on its journey towards net zero. ENGIE GEMS is a global leader in this space, connecting the renewable energy industry to like-minded businesses to accelerate the energy transition. This agreement is a great demonstration of cross-sector collaboration to achieve a shared goal,” said Jules Dufournier, Managing Director, ENGIE Global Energy Management and Sales (GEMS), Australia.
CCEP's RE100 Commitment and Sustainability Strategy
CCEP's commitment to RE100 is a key part of its larger goal to reach net zero in Australia by 2040, as detailed in its sustainability action plan—This Is Forward. Central to the company's long-term business strategy, the plan outlines actions addressing critical social and environmental issues such as climate, packaging, water, well-being and community impact.
RE100 is a global initiative uniting the world's leading businesses committed to 100% renewable energy. Led by the international non-profit, the Climate Group in collaboration with CDP, the member companies generate over US$6.6 trillion in revenue and span various industries. Together, they send a strong message to policymakers and investors, urging faster progress toward a clean economy.
In Australia, the RE100 initiative is managed on behalf of the Climate Group and CDP by the DoSomething Foundation, co-founded by Jon Dee, NSW's 2010 Australian of the Year.