SBS and ZEN Energy sign PPA for renewable energy sources

SBS has entered into a ten-year renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) with ZEN Energy, providing SBS with price certainty and establishing a model for decarbonising the media industry.

Over the next ten years, ZEN Energy will supply 100% renewable energy to SBS companies based in New South Wales and Victoria via Large-Generation Certificates (LGCs) uniquely linked to the 226.8 MW Collector Wind Farm in New South Wales.

SBS is the first Australian media organisation to transition to 100% renewable energy in FY23, a commitment that will now be achieved over the long term through a ten-year agreement with ZEN.

SBS has set itself the most ambitious target of any Australian media outlet: to achieve net zero emissions across Scope 1, 2 and 3 by 2045. SBS has also partnered with Scope3 to measure emissions from ad technology, providing advertising clients with greater transparency into the carbon emissions of their advertising campaigns.

ZEN was the first Australian energy company to commit to the global Science-based Targets Initiative for Corporate Action on Climate Change. SBS has also applied for its net zero emissions targets to be approved by the initiative.

RATCH-Australia’s Collector wind farm became fully operational in 2021 and consists of 54 turbines that collectively produce 528 GWh per year, enough to power 80,000 homes and save close to 320,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

SBS Chief Financial Officer Nitsa Niarchos said: “SBS is proud to be a leader in the media industry with a commitment to 100 percent renewable energy. Our partnership with ZEN Energy underlines our commitment to sustainability and sets a new standard for reducing carbon emissions in media. Our goal is to inspire others in the industry to take significant steps towards a greener future.”

Abigail Thomas, SBS’s chief sustainability officer, said the 10-year wind energy agreement with ZEN Energy provides assurance that SBS’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions is not just a short-term initiative, but a long-term strategy.

“By securing a decade of 100 per cent renewable energy, we are taking significant steps towards achieving net zero emissions and demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and innovation in the Australian media sector,” Ms Thomas said.

ZEN Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut said: “SBS is already an industry leader in community engagement and a champion of diversity. ZEN is honoured to now help SBS deepen its connections with Australians by becoming an industry leader in climate action.

“As part of our obligations under the Science-based Targets Initiative, ZEN has voluntarily committed to reducing its Scope 3 (sold electricity) emissions. This means that we are working with our customers to transition to 100 percent renewable electricity, and we have committed to only awarding new contracts if 100 percent renewable energy is achieved within the contract period.”

Main image: Collector wind farm. Image courtesy of ZEN Energy and RATCH-Australia.