The Giant Co. enters into agreement to power Pa. Stores with renewable energy

The Giant Co. Grocery store chain has entered into an agreement with a renewable energy supplier to power all of its Pennsylvania operations with renewable energy. 

Under the long-term agreement with Constellation, Carlisle-based Giant will procure a total of 80 megawatts of renewable energy. 

The power will come from two solar projects that will be developed by Pine Gate Renewables that are expected to be in commercial operation between June 2022 and January 2024. 

The power from the renewable energy sources will be used at select stores, fuel stations, and its perishable distribution center. 

The agreement will help the company avoid more than 100,000 metric tons of Scope 2 carbon emissions associated with its energy use annually. 

That’s the equivalent of taking nearly 24,000 cars off the road, according to U.S. EPA estimates. 

The Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) from these projects are not included in this agreement and will be transacted separately, the company said.  

Giant will receive approximately 155 million kilowatt hours of energy per year from the long-term power purchase agreement, with that energy matched by Green-e Energy Certified RECs sourced from renewable facilities located throughout the U.S. 

 “Supporting renewable energy projects like solar is one of the many ways The Giant Co. is working to heal the planet for the families we serve today and, in the future,” said Nicholas Bertram, president of The Giant Co. “This project is a significant step in further reducing our Scope 2 carbon emissions and achieving our overall sustainability goals. It reaffirms our commitment to being a sustainable grocer and responsible steward of the communities we serve, all while bringing jobs and economic benefit to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” 

This isn’t the company’s first foray into renewable energy. 

In June 2020, The Giant Co. completed a two-phase solar project at its Carlisle corporate headquarters, which includes a 625kw rooftop solar array and seven-acre pollinator-friendly solar field, enough to generate renewable power for the entire campus.