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ACCIONA Energy has expanded its strategic partnership with commercial and industrial clients by signing a corporate Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with leading energy company Viva Energy, to support the strategically important Geelong Refinery in Victoria.
Viva Energy supplies around a quarter of Australia’s liquid fuel requirements and sells Shell products under licence across the country.
Under the PPA, the refinery has partnered with ACCIONA’s new 132 MW wind farm at Mt Gellibrand, which is around an hour away from the Geelong facility. The PPA represents around one third of the refinery’s electricity load, and the contract commenced in January 2019.
Acciona Energy Australia Managing Director Brett Wickham said: “Companies like Viva Energy understand the value alternative energy supply solutions, such as this wind-backed corporate PPA, offer in reducing electricity price volatility and costs. We take a strategic approach to understanding the needs of commercial and industrial clients, and are pleased to be working with Viva Energy on this corporate PPA. We share their commitment towards greater energy productivity and the environmental benefits the wind farm brings.”
Viva Energy CEO Scott Wyatt said: "Access to reliable and affordable electricity is critical for our refining operations which need to operate continuously and be able to compete with large scale refineries overseas. Over the last few years the cost of electricity supply in Victoria has more than doubled and has become increasingly subject to pricing spikes due to weather and reliability events causing disruptions to generation and supply."
"Our research has shown that renewable energy is very competitive with existing sources of generation and can be a viable and sustainable part of the energy mix for a business like ours. This agreement with Acciona is a win-win outcome for us both as it helps lock in a stable electricity price over the long term, while supporting a local renewable energy source not far from the refinery."
On a global scale, ACCIONA Energy is increasing the sale of electricity from its portfolio of renewable energy generation to large organizations, helping them reduce their carbon footprint and become more sustainable. The company now has over 500 contracts in place. Customers operate in a wide variety of sectors such as transport, telecommunications, infrastructure, industry, consumer goods and health services. Specifically, they include well-known names such as Google, Unilever, General Mills, Kellogg’s, and Bosch.
About ACCIONA
Acciona Energía is a global operator in renewable energies with 30 years’ experience in the sector and 9,000 MW under its ownership. It owns and operates 222 wind farms, 76 hydro plants, a number of photovoltaic plants, three biomass plants and a CSP plant. The company markets energy to large clients.
It belongs to the ACCIONA Group, a leader in sustainable solutions for infrastructures and renewable energy projects worldwide. Its range of services covers the entire value chain of design, construction, operation and maintenance. The company earned revenues of 7,254 million euros in 2017, has a presence in more than 40 countries and carries out its activities within a commitment to the economic and social development of the communities it operates in. ACCIONA's aim is to lead the transition to a low-carbon economy and does this by applying criteria of quality and innovation processes to all its projects with a view to optimizing the efficient use of resources and caring for the environment.
ACCIONA Australia
ACCIONA began operating in Australia in 2002, building its business to become an industry leader in renewable energy, infrastructure, construction and water. The company has successfully delivered large-scale projects including new and upgraded road and rail infrastructure, tunnels, bridges, desalination and water treatment plants, as well as wind and solar farms.
ACCIONA is a significant contributor to the Australian economy, with equity positions in several projects and a major investment in Geotech, a leading infrastructure and construction company. ACCIONA employs around 1,000 staff in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, as well as regional locations, and continually invests in Australian skills and jobs.
About Viva Energy
Viva Energy is one of Australia’s leading energy companies and supplies approximately a quarter of the country’s liquid fuel requirements. It is the exclusive supplier of high quality Shell fuels and lubricants in Australia through an extensive network of more than 1,200 service stations across the country. Viva Energy owns and operates the strategically located Geelong Refinery, in Victoria, which converts imported and locally sourced crude oil into petroleum products including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, gas, solvents, bitumen and other specialty products.
Viva Energy operates bulk fuels, aviation, bitumen, marine, chemicals and lubricants businesses supported by a nationwide fuel supply chain with an extensive import, storage and distribution infrastructure network, including a presence at 52 airports and airfields. Visit www.vivaenergy.com.au