Musgrave has solidified its leadership in sustainability by entering into a significant Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with leading energy supplier SSE Airtricity. The agreement will contract renewable electricity for over 100 SuperValu and Centra stores across the island of Ireland, supporting their journey to Net Zero.
The agreement will see Musgrave purchase 100% of the wind-powered energy from Richfield Wind Farm in Co Wexford and Bessy Bell 2 Wind Farm in Co Tyrone, which are owned and operated by SSE Renewables, a sister company to SSE Airtricity. The energy from Richfield and Bessy Bell 2 will help meet the Musgrave Group’s electricity needs, including Musgrave offices, 11 distribution centres, and 105 SuperValu and Centra retail stores across the island.
SSE Airtricity’s CPPA product will support Musgrave to decarbonise their operations, manage their energy costs and minimise financial risk associated with market volatility. The initiative builds on an ambitious renewables’ strategy implemented by Musgrave and its leading brands, SuperValu and Centra, in recent years, and will be a key enabler of Musgrave’s ambition to become carbon neutral across its operations by 2040.
Speaking about the announcement Noel Keeley, CEO, Musgrave Group said: “At Musgrave, we are proud to partner with SSE Airtricity in signing this Corporate Power Purchase Agreement. This landmark agreement marks a significant milestone in our journey toward Net Zero and empowers our SuperValu and Centra stores to meaningfully reduce their environmental impact. Our network of stores is deeply committed to driving sustainability and making a positive difference in their local communities. I want to commend the remarkable efforts of SuperValu and Centra retailers nationwide, including the installation of over 45,000 solar panels across the country. Together with our retail partners we have ambitious plans for our journey to Net Zero, while supporting the renewable energy sector in Ireland through partnerships like this CPPA.”
Stephen Gallagher, Managing Director, SSE Airtricity, said: “SSE Airtricity is delighted to partner with Musgrave on this first of its kind Corporate Power Purchase Agreement in the retail sector. A first for the island of Ireland, the partnership reflects our continued commitment to supporting businesses in their sustainability journey. As energy partner, our role is to ensure Musgrave has access to reliable, renewable energy solutions, and that SuperValu and Centra stores can continue to lead in sustainability. We look forward to continued collaborations to drive positive environmental impact, supporting a Net Zero future for Ireland.”
Approximately 42,500 solar panels have been installed across the SuperValu and Centra store network and in 13 distribution sites. Together, these solar installations generate an impressive 15.3 million kWh of renewable energy annually, enough to power all the homes in a town the size of Mallow. Projects include a 909kWp system installed by Activ8 Solar Energies in partnership with SSE Airtricity at the Musgrave Distribution Centre in Kilcock. Spanning 132,500 square feet of warehouse space, the project slashes Musgrave’s energy consumption by over 750,000kWh per year, translating to annual electricity savings of roughly €200,000.
In 2022, Musgrave introduced a €25 million Sustainability Fund to support SuperValu and Centra stores in implementing carbon-reduction initiatives. The fund has contributed to a 12% reduction in the carbon footprint of Musgrave’s retailer network since its launch, showcasing the company’s commitment to driving sustainability and climate action.