Co-op aims to power 700 stores and funeral homes with solar panels

Co-op has revealed bold plans today. Over the next three years, it aims to equip up to 700 of its locations—including food stores, funeral care services, and logistics sites across the UK—with solar panels.

In its effort to enhance the renewable energy it procures directly, Co-op is targeting a solar energy production of 30,000 MWh, which equates to enough power to support roughly 12,500 homes. By installing up to 76,000 solar panels, the organization seeks to lighten the load on the national grid and propel its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions across its operations by 2035.

This announcement builds upon Co-op’s previous renewable energy initiatives, including the launch of a solar farm in Cambridgeshire. Additionally, Co-op has secured a deal to take the entire output of a 34-megawatt solar farm in North Yorkshire, which is expected to become fully operational by 2025.

Heather Thomas, group property and sustainability director, said: “Our investment in onsite power generation across our estate is part of Co-op’s commitment to playing its role in the transition to net zero. This project, alongside increasing our investment in corporate power purchase agreements, is crucial to guarantee that the energy we use in our operations is renewable and traceable.

“It’s imperative that all businesses, no matter their size, address their environmental impact with high importance, and this includes how energy is sourced.”