An Aussie icon partners with Stanwell to accelerate net zero target

9 February 2023

Queensland owned energy generator, Stanwell Corporation, has signed a new long-term renewable energy agreement with iconic biscuit maker, The Arnott’s Group.

Stanwell has entered into an eight-year agreement with The Arnott’s Group, to link them to up to 16,943 MWh of clean electricity from Stanwell’s pipeline of renewable projects each year for its biscuit factory in Virginia, Queensland.

Queensland Minister for Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen, Mick de Brenni said this agreement signals another positive step in achieving Queensland’s energy targets.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan means that we will meet and beat the State’s renewable energy targets with 10 times more renewables by 2040 and 100,000 more jobs for locals,” Minister de Brenni said.

This is the third significant energy agreement announced by Stanwell signalling the shift by large scale businesses to decarbonise their operations.

The Arnott’s Group 40,000 square metre manufacturing site in Brisbane runs eight product lines and three packaging lines and employs more than 600 people.

The factory bakes more than 40 million kilograms of biscuits a year, including classics like Monte Carlo, Kingston, and Pizza, Barbeque and Chicken Crimpy Shapes.

Stanwell CEO, Michael O’Rourke, said Stanwell is proud to be able to support Arnott’s with its sustainability aspirations.

“Stanwell Energy is one of Queensland’s largest commercial and industrial energy retailers and our account managers work hard to deliver tailored solutions for all of our customers,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Our renewable portfolio includes 2,100 MW of renewable energy from projects that are currently operational, under construction or under development.

“This extensive pipeline of renewable energy projects means that we can expand our renewable offerings for customers as Stanwell becomes a diversified and renewable energy provider,” he said.

The Arnott’s Group Chief Transformation Officer, Simon Lowden, said the renewable electricity agreement is the latest in a series of bold renewable projects across its Australian sites, that will allow it to accelerate its progress toward its net zero commitments ahead of target.

“We’ve been manufacturing biscuits in Queensland since 1949 and at our Virginia site for more than 30 years,” Mr Lowden said.

“This is an exciting partnership that will enable us to transition the way we source electricity for our Virginia site and significantly reduce our environmental impact.”

About Stanwell

We are a major provider of electricity and energy solutions to Queensland, the National Electricity Market and large energy users throughout Australia.

Our portfolio includes renewable projects as well as two of the most efficient coal fired power stations in Australia—the Tarong power stations near Kingaroy and Stanwell power station west of Rockhampton.

We are creating a new pipeline of renewable energy and storage projects throughout Central and Southern Queensland, finding better, cleaner ways to reliably generate and store electricity for our customers.

We are also leading Australia’s renewable hydrogen industry, with plans to progress the development of the country’s largest green hydrogen export hub in Gladstone.