Mars Australia has become one of Australia’s first companies to be powered with 100 per cent renewable electricity, flicking the switch on a ground-breaking power purchase agreement with Victoria’s largest solar farm.

The deal means Mars’ Australian operations, which includes six factories and two offices, are now offset by solar energy from the 256 megawatt, 714,000 solar panel Kiamal Solar Farm in Western Victoria.

REenergise Campaign Director Lindsay Soutar from Greenpeace Australia Pacific said Mars is leading the field in the Australian corporate renewable energy race.

“The Mars power purchase deal with Kiamal Solar Farm has seen the company become one of the first major food and drink companies in Australia to be entirely powered by the sun. By making a major investment in solar power, Mars is driving down greenhouse gas emissions, and, to sweeten the deal, they’re helping to create clean energy jobs and investment for Western Victoria.”

Mars is one of the first of a growing number of Australian brand giants, including Woolworths, ALDI and Bunnings to make the commitment to 100 per cent renewable electricity by 2025. In total, Australian companies have committed to enough clean energy to power 1.3 million homes – more than all the homes in Brisbane and Perth combined.

In sourcing its electricity needs from the Kiamal Solar Farm, Mars is supporting the generation of significant jobs in North Western Victoria. The solar farm provided employment opportunities to more than 300 people across an 18-month period during construction and over 10 full-time employees during the operational phase.

Andrew Bray, National Director for renewable energy advocacy group, Re-Alliance, said Mars’ commitment benefited the local and wider Australian economy.

“Solar power generation is becoming an important new industry in the Mallee. When companies like Mars buy the power from these plants, it draws jobs and financial benefits back out to regional Australia,” he said.

While Mars Australia’s 100 per cent renewable electricity switch is a significant step forward for the company, Greenpeace Australia Pacific urges Mars to address the significant and ongoing problems with the company’s operations, particularly around palm oil and deforestation.

“Switching to 100 per cent renewable electricity in Australia is a big, practical step for Mars Australia to reduce its climate impact, but globally Mars has a lot of work to do, including ending forest destruction in Indonesia in pursuit of palm oil and addressing emissions in its global supply chain. Being a good corporate citizen doesn’t end with renewables,” Mr Bray commented.