XXXX Brewery to be completely powered by Woolooga solar farm

Queensland’s favourite beer will be brewed entirely using renewable electricity, following a deal between the XXXX Brewery at Milton and a $130m renewable energy project west of Gympie.

Queensland’s favourite beer will be brewed using renewable electricity after an agreement to power the XXXX brewery at Milton with electricity from the Woolooga Solar Farm.

XXXX Brewery, through its owner Lion, signed a new Power Purchase Agreement to procure 100 per cent renewable electricity from the Lightsource bp solar farm in Woolooga, a statement from Deputy Premier Steven Miles read on Friday.

Once the project is completed, the Woolooga solar farm will house more than 400,000 solar panels spread across 650ha of land.

It will be capable of powering more than 63,000 Queensland homes and save more than 350,000 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.

“An increasing number of companies want to decarbonise their operations and offer consumers low-emission products, made in Queensland,” Mr Miles said on Friday.

“The pipeline of renewable projects in the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan means we will continue to see more and more companies make the transition and lower emissions.

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“With the PPA in place, Lion has reached their target of 100 per cent purchased renewable electricity by 2025 in Australia, two years ahead of schedule. And they’re Australia’s first large scale carbon neutral brewer.

“Milton mangos will now be solar powered by Queensland sunshine.”

A drone image of the Woolooga solar farm.

Energy, Renewables and Hydrogen Minister Mick de Brenni said in the same statement the move meant all of Lion’s beers brewed across Australia would now be brewed with 100 per cent procured renewable electricity.

“XXXX is proudly brewing solar powered beers with 100 per cent renewable electricity from right here in the sunshine state,” Mr de Brenni said.

“More consumers are demanding action on climate, so now XXXX will be the beer of choice for the emissions and climate conscious.

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

The statement quoted Lion Sustainability Director Justin Merrell saying in 2020 Lion became Australia’s first certified large-scale carbon neutral brewer.

“The 144-year-old XXXX brewery at Milton is one of Brisbane’s most historic landmarks, but this latest evolution to 100 percent renewable electricity proves this icon of Australian brewing, is still capable of moving with the times,” Mr Merrell said.

Woolooga solar farm. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“All of our beer produced here – up to 250 million litres annually – is now made using 100 per cent renewable electricity. This agreement will stop around 138,000 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. That’s the equivalent of taking 45,000 cars off the road.”

“XXXX is encouraging all Australians to ‘Give a XXXX’ about the planet for the benefit of our environment, and for beer. Today’s announcement is another great example of how we‘re investing in climate solutions to reduce our footprint.”

Gympie Mayor Glen Hartwig and Gympie state LNP MP Tony Perrett were contacted for comment, as was federal LNP MP Llew O’Brien.

Originally published as XXXX Brewery to be completely powered by Woolooga solar farm