Pernod Ricard Winemakers – which is behind brands such as Jacob’s Creek - made the commitment as it ‘switched on’ the first completed stage of a 2.8MW solar installation project at its Barossa Valley Winery.
When completed in mid-2019, the project with AGL energy will be the largest combined winery solar installation in Australia and will supply 20% of Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ annual electricity usage. It will generate around 4,000 MWh of renewable electricity every year, which is the equivalent to the electricity consumption of 800 homes.
The remaining 80% of the energy Pernod Ricard Winemakers uses will be generated through a 10-year Virtual Generation Agreement (VGA) with wholesale electricity retailer Flow Power, to connect the business with renewable electricity sources such as wind power.
Helen Strachan, Pernod Ricard Winemakers’ Legal and Corporate Affairs Director, said: “We are doing everything within our means to draw upon renewable energy, both in terms of our own renewable electricity sources at our winery and our commitment to supporting the renewable energy industry.
“We are excited to be leaders in defining the future of sustainable business in a rapidly changing environment.”
Pernod Ricard Winemakers is the premium wine division of French wine and spirits giant Pernod Ricard. Alongside Jacob’s Creek in Australia, its brands include Brancott Estate and Stoneleigh from New Zealand, Campo Viejo from Spain, Kenwood Vineyards from the US, Graffigna from Argentina.
