Circle K Ireland and renewable-energy company EDF Renewables Ireland have announced details of a new corporate Power Purchase Agreement (cPPA).
Under the terms of the cPPA agreed between the two companies, three EDF Renewables Ireland solar farms in Wexford and Kilkenny will power all 168 sites within Circle K’s company-owned network from October 2024.
The companies have agreed that the deal will last until 2036.
A cPPA involves a company committing to buy its electricity from a renewable-energy project, or projects, at a pre-agreed price over a fixed term.
This aims to reduce the company’s carbon footprint and secure a long-term, stable price for renewable energy.
Circle K will also use the energy from the three solar farms to power its electrical vehicle (EV) charging network.
This, along with Circle K’s extensive EV-charging network, will be developed alongside the ongoing roll-out of Circle K’s own-brand EV chargers, following a €7 million investment announced last year.
This will see Circle K-branded EV chargers installed at 30 locations by 2025.
‘Real Progress’
Speaking about the announcement, the managing director of Circle K Ireland, Ciara Foxton, said, “We are delighted to announce this agreement with EDF Renewables Ireland today.
“As a business, we are committed to implementing environmentally sustainable practices across our operations, and this agreement enables us to make real progress against this commitment.
“Using SEAI figures, we have estimated that this switch to solar energy will equate to 7,570 tonnes of CO2 saved annually.
“Our company-owned network of 168 locations serves the needs of 1.5 million customers weekly, and for all of these locations to now be powered by 100% Irish renewable energy from October 2024 is significant for our business.
“Developing our EV-charging infrastructure to support Ireland’s transition to electric vehicle usage has been a core focus of ours for several years now.
“We are hugely excited that our EV-charging infrastructure will also be powered using solar energy from October 2024, offering our customers access to renewable energy.”
The director for offshore and Ireland at EDF Renewables UK and Ireland, Ryanne Burges, added, “We are so pleased to have agreed our first cPPA in Ireland with Circle K, supporting them in their efforts to further decarbonise both their business and Ireland’s transport sector.
“As Ireland moves towards net zero, cPPAs will play an increasingly significant role in driving the clean-energy transition and providing an important route to market for renewable-energy projects.
“We are proud to partner with one of Ireland’s leading brands and look forward to providing them with a secure source of low-carbon power for many years to come.”
Read More: Circle K Ireland Launches ‘Extra’ Retail Loyalty Scheme
