100 per cent renewable XXXX, as oil giant and beer giant strike new PPA

Electricity from a Queensland solar farm, built by the joint venture renewables arm of oil giant BP, will be used to power an iconic Sunshine State brewery, making its equally iconic beer – XXXX – 100% solar powered.

XXXX (pronounced four-ex) Brewery in Milton in Queensland said on Friday it has signed a power purchase agreement through its owner, Lion, to source 100% renewable electricity from Lightsource bp’s 214MW Woolooga solar farm in Lower Wonga.

The PPA takes Lion, the manager of one of Australia’s biggest beer portfolios, to 100% purchased renewable electricity two years ahead of their 2025 schedule.

The solar PPA adds to the $2 million, 690kW rooftop solar array installed at the 140-year-old brewery in 2019, pictured above.

“All of our beer produced here – up to 250 million litres annually – is now made using 100% renewable electricity,” said Lion sustainability director, Justin Merrell.

“This agreement will stop around 138,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.

“XXXX is encouraging all Australians to ‘Give a XXXX’ about the planet for the benefit of our environment, and for beer,” Merrell said.

“More consumers are demanding action on climate, so now XXXX will be the beer of choice for the emissions and climate conscious,” said Queensland energy minister Mick de Brenni of the deal.

“The Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan lays out a plan to reduce household and business electricity emissions by 96% by 2040, protecting and growing Queensland manufacturing jobs.”