green energy

combating climate change

As part of The Co-operative Group, The Co-operative Farms plays an integral part in the Group’s commitment to green energy. 

The Co-operative Group has pioneered a range of renewable energy initiatives and 99% of the electricity used by our 4,000 outlets is sourced from good quality renewables, including wind and water-power.

In 2005 Coldham Wind Farm was opened, which is a joint venture between The Co-operative Group and Scottish Power. The £17million, eight-turbine wind farm, built on farmland owned by The Co-operative Farms, supplies approximately 4% of The Co-operative Group’s energy requirements (equivalent to 9,000 homes) and is now set to expand with local community backing.

Further wind farm developments are proposed on both Co-operative Farms and third party owned land as well as various exemplar sustainable development projects, which will incorporate a range of renewable power generation initiatives. 

Also in 2005, the CIS Tower in Manchester became Europe’s largest vertical solar installation when it was clad in energy generating solar panels. 

Renewables are central to The Co-operative Financial Services’ commercial strategy, from asset finance to institutional investments. The Co-operative Bank has committed £400m to be invested in community renewable energy and low carbon energy technologies. The Corporate Banking team has been involved in funding a variety of renewable energy investments in recent years, from hydro schemes, to wind farms and CHP (Combine, Heat and Power) plants. These schemes underline the Bank’s commitment to community renewables and to generating significant carbon savings.

These projects, combined with our energy efficiency strategy, reinforce the Group’s commitment to responsible and sustainable business practice.

learn more about The Co-operative Group's ethics in action

pesticides