Asahi, BaptistCare sign PPAs with ‘one of the largest’ solar projects in New South Wales, Australia

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Asahi Beverages, Uralla Shire Council, Armidale Regional Council, ACEN Australia, Flow Power and BaptistCare at the announcement event in Uralla. Image: Flow Power.

Japanese-owned drinks company Asahi Beverages and not-for-profit care company BaptistCare have signed power purchase agreements (PPAs) to secure energy from “one of the largest solar farms” in New South Wales, Australia.

The 720MW New England Solar project, being developed in two stages by renewable energy developer ACEN Australia, started construction in March 2021. A second stage, anticipated to begin in 2024, will see the construction of a 200MW/400MWh battery energy storage system (BESS). It is located near Uralla, in New South Wales’ New England region, around 465km north of Sydney.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Under the agreement with Flow Power, the project’s owner, Asahi Beverages will purchase 30,000MWh annually, whereas BaptistCare has secured a 10-year solar-and-wind PPA to source an estimated 15,000MWh annually.

New England Solar has received significant support from the local community. The company has already provided AU$200,000 (US$131,972) in community grants and plans to invest AU$7 million through ACEN’s Social Investment Program. Additionally, 1.5% of the project’s value has been allocated for First Nations’ participation and employment.

Commenting on this, Byron Serjeantson, chief operating officer at Flow Power lauded the deals, and said the New England Solar project “raised the bar for strong community engagement and support, including landowners and First Nations communities”.

New England Solar to support decarbonisation targets

For Asahi Beverages, the renewable energy sourced from New England will be used to aid the company in achieving its 100% of purchased electricity sourced from renewable energy by 2025 target.

Kirsten Sturzaker, Asahi Beverages’ Group head of sustainability, said the deal will “provide certainty for securing long-term energy supply for our customers and consumers while benefitting the planet” whilst also highlighting the important role New England Solar will play in decarbonising its operations.

“Victoria Bitter is already brewed with 100% offset solar energy and we look forward to all our brands soon being made in similar ways (with our purchased electricity sourced from or offset by renewables). We have a broad sustainability agenda, from energy to packaging and more, and we raise a glass to the important role New England Solar plays in this,” Sturzaker said.

BaptistCare will use renewable energy to reduce the carbon footprint of its New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory operations by 70% and support the company’s goal of becoming net zero by 2050.

Thomas Griffiths, head of strategy and investments for BaptistCare NSW, ACT and WA, said: “In addition to sustainability benefits, the project also delivers cost certainty and strong business outcomes, and we encourage others in the sector to actively consider how they can also play a role in accelerating this renewables transition.”

Read Next

June 24, 2025
Chinese solar manufacturing giant LONGi has signed an agreement with Indonesia’s Pertamina New & Renewable Energy to build a 1.4GW module assembly plant in West Java, Indonesia.
June 24, 2025
US solar tracker manufacturer GameChange Solar has signed a deal to supply trackers to 715MWp worth of solar PV capacity across South America.
June 24, 2025
The Chinese polysilicon industry could face a shortage by 2028, despite persistent overcapacity in recent years, according to polysilicon market analyst Bernreuter Research.
June 24, 2025
Western Australia’s Lithium Universe has secured the commercial rights for a solar PV module recycling technology known as Microwave Joule Heating Technology (MJHT).
June 23, 2025
China notched up close to 100GW of new PV in May, in the processes surpassing a terawatt of cumulative installed capacity, figures show.
June 23, 2025
Eni has sold a 20% stake in its renewables arm, Plenitude, to global investment manager Ares Management Corporation.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
July 2, 2025
Bangkok, Thailand
Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico