Kmart Group announced on Friday (6 March) that the company has achieved its 100% renewable electricity target across its operations.

According to the retailer, this means its total electricity use across 448 stores, 10 distribution centres, and 12 national and international offices across Kmart and Target is covered by onsite renewables or offsite agreements from renewable sources.

This includes onsite solar generation and power purchase agreements linked to generation assets including New England Solar Farm (NSW), Numurkah Solar Farm (Victoria), Tailem Bend 2 Solar Farm (South Australia), and Western Downs Green Power Hub (Queensland). Where energy is supplied by Kmart’s landlords, the Group is surrendering unbundled large-scale generation certificates to match the energy consumed.

Kmart Group Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer Alexandra Staley says this important milestone reflects the company’s efforts to reduce, where it can, the environmental impacts of its operations.

“With a significant footprint of stores across Australia, matching 100% of the energy needs of our stores, distribution centres and offices with renewable electricity marks an important step towards our commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030,” she says.  

Australian Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Hon Josh Wilson MP, says Kmart Group is demonstrating how Australian businesses are stepping up to help deliver our national clean energy goals.

“Kmart is showing that the pursuit of greater sustainability can and should be undertaken across the board, and that large organisations have the scale and resources to keep doing more,” he says.   

Since making its 100% renewable electricity commitment, Kmart says it has also achieved a 4.9% reduction in total electricity use since 2021, while adding 10 stores across Australia and New Zealand. The retailer has achieved its energy reduction through measures including efficient lighting design and energy efficient heating/cooling systems in stores.