Co-op Power Relaunches to Help More Businesses Become Greener

The Co-op group has relaunched Co-op Power, the UK’s largest co-operative energy buying group to help UK businesses save money and source green energy for their operations.

The Co-op Group is one of the world’s largest consumer operatives with an extensive network that includes more than 2,300 food stores, 800 funeral homes, insurance and legal offerings as well as a wholesale operation that supplies approximately 6,000 additional retail outlets. It employs 54,000 people and generates annual revenues that exceed £11 billion. 

In March 2024, Co-op became the first UK convenience retailer to have its net zero targets approved by the globally recognised Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Co-op further committed to sourcing renewable energy via corporate PPAs in its updated climate action plan as well as investing in supporting suppliers and producers to reduce the total output of carbon emissions. 

This ambitious project took three years to complete and involved multiple stakeholders across the Co-op, including the Energy Efficiency, Sustainability and Property teams.

Co-op Power worked hard and took responsibility for the commercial evaluation and development of the asset going live.

Co-op has made a name for itself as a pioneer in ethical business practices and community-focused initiatives delivering lasting value to its members and communities on a consistent basis. It has campaigned for climate justice since 2021, recently publishing research with Green Alliance on the role of businesses as energy consumers in the energy transition which is crucial not only in tackling climate change but also for energy security and therefore national security. 

Co-op Power was originally soft launched to partner suppliers in June at the Group’s GNFR conference in June and showcased at the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) Conference in September.

The soft launch followed the report commissioned by the Co-op and published by Green Alliance which indicated that electricity usage by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) was equivalent to 85% of all renewable electricity generated in 2024. 

The report found that businesses face extensive challenges to hit clean power targets. A significant percentage of SMEs cannot afford to invest in renewable energy installations or energy efficiency upgrades, and many find the barriers too high to secure access to PPAs. 

Although Co-op Power can offer one solution to this, the report also outlines policy recommendations for government-led support. The recommendations include bringing in zero rate VAT on building retrofits to improve energy efficiency and providing a scheme of low-cost loans to SMEs to enable them to build onsite renewable energy generation. 

With the Co-op Group surpassing 6 million active member-owners it is committed to serving their interests and supporting the causes which mean the most to them. 

Having only directed its focus on internal energy procurement since 2022, Co-op Power has now relaunched with a renewed mission to provide a number of services including, consultancy, energy procurement, portfolio and bill management and account management to other businesses.

Co-op Power’s consultancy services will include PPA procurement and sleeving energy, providing access to its existing supplier network. It has partnerships with Shawton Energy, RWE and Zestec, covering cPPAs for solar and wind projects as well as onsite commercial rooftop PV. 

Co-op Power’s offer will focus on the following 4 essential services: 

Green Strategy Consultancy
Co-op Power will offer to help businesses with the design of their own sustainable energy plans. 

Energy Procurement
Co-op Power will take advantage of Co-op’s in house expertise to support customers with flexible purchasing strategies.

Portfolio and Bill Management
Co-op Powe will provide expert bureau services to manage energy portfolios.

Account Management
Co-op Power will provide dedicated support for ongoing energy needs.

In the two years leading up to the relaunch of Co-op Power it focused on internal reform including strengthening its hedging strategy and the expansion of its corporate power purchase agreements (cPPAs) to prepare for a rapidly evolving energy market. 

Co-op Power worked closely with its sustainability teams to model a new green strategy which invested in corporate Power Purchase Agreements (cPPAs) and embedded generation.

According to the Co-op’s chief procurement officer, Imran Rasul, the group has “redesigned” its approach to make Co-op Power “stronger and more resilient than ever”. The Co-op Group now says it has the foundation in place to offer its expertise to others.

Imran Rasul added:

“This isn’t just about buying energy; it’s about co-operating to create value for businesses, communities, and the planet.”

The Co-op Group already buys energy for its own operations but is now extending the use of its buying power to support other businesses in building green energy strategies. Their expertise in managing major sites such as the Group’s own Biggleswade distribution depot illustrates the Co-op’s commitment to efficiency and sustainability at scale. 

In August 2025, the Co-op Group announced the completion of their ambitious solar panel project at their largest regional distribution centre, Biggleswade in Bedfordshire which serves more than 600 stores across the south of England. 
The Biggleswade distribution centre in Bedfordshire, has been fitted with a 6,744-panel solar array by the group. It is expected to generate 2,500MWh annually, making it an excellent example of the organisation’s work. 

Imran Rasul, commented:

“As the biggest Co-op in the UK, we buy power for our own business, and we decided to use our buying power to help other like-minded businesses save money and source energy in an ethical and sustainable way.
“We’re building on Co-op’s experience as a major energy user to help businesses take control of their energy strategies. Our team brings deep expertise in sourcing, buying, and managing energy, and we’re committed to using that knowledge to deliver real value—helping businesses cut costs while sourcing energy in a way that’s sustainable and ethical.”

In addition to the solar panel project at the Biggleswade distribution centre, the Co-op has also announced plans to install solar panels on a target of up to 700 sites across their food, funeralcare and logistic portfolio over the next 3 years. 

Co-op has also made the launch of a solar farm in Cambridgeshire possible by signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) as well as acquiring an additional agreement to take the entire output of a 34-megawatt solar farm located in North Yorkshire, which is set to be fully operational next year. 

Co-op has committed to reaching net zero across its operations by 2035 and entire business by 2040.