Co-op Movement’s £25m green energy deal

THE Co-operative Group has announced new deals worth more than &#163 25 million to provide 100 per cent green electricity to over 3,700 Co-op sites operated by 16 retail societies throughout Britain.
Power for the Group&#039s own 3,000-plus sites and outlets ? including its New Century House headquarters in Manchester, Funeralcare, Travelcare, Priory Motors, Syncro and farmcare ? is now generated from windfarms or by hydropower, making the society one of the UK&#039s largest users of green energy.
In addition, the new agreements will also supply green electricity to 15 other retail societies including major players such as Scotmid, Southern Co-operatives, Lothian, Borders & Angus Co-op, Chelmsford Star, Colchester & East Essex and the Leeds, Ilkeston and Sheffield societies.
The deals mean the Co-operative Group now receives a massive 806 GigaWatt hours (GWh) of green power each year ? enough to power all the homes in a city the size of Bristol.
Other societies receive a total of 135 GWh of green power annually.
Co-operative Group Chief Executive Martin Beaumont said: "The Co-op has always taken its environmental responsibilities seriously and these latest contracts ensure we are managing energy resources as effectively as possible.
"Procuring green electricity will reduce carbon emissions and help stimulate demand for renewable energy within the UK. In parallel, we are also implementing a programme to improve energy efficiency within our businesses."
The announcement comes just days after Co-operative Financial Services announced that the landmark CIS Tower in Manchester, the city&#039s tallest building, is to be covered in solar panels to generate electricity.
In addition to the societies already named, the following regional retail co-ops are now also receiving green energy following the signing of the new deals: Coniston, Nith Valley, Penrith, Radstock, Raunds, Tamworth and Wooldale.