Cargill has launched a 2.58 megawatt (MW) solar array at its Newcastle Crush Plant – the company’s first large-scale renewable energy project in Australia and an important milestone in its efforts to reduce emissions, strengthen energy resilience and support a more sustainable food supply chain.
The solar array has been installed onsite at the Newcastle facility and is the only fully built and owned renewable energy asset currently operated by a bulk handler and oilseed processor in Australia.
Driving lower emissions
This project is forecasted to generate more than 4,200 megawatt hours (MWh) of renewable electricity each year and reduce Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 2,700 tonnes of CO₂ annually – the equivalent electricity consumption of about 700 NSW households.
The project is already showing positive impact on the environment and will contribute to Cargill’s ambition of reducing absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 25% by 2035.
“This initiative is about taking real, practical steps toward sustainability and innovation,” said Nick Ebrill, Senior Director, Regional Operations SSEA-Australia, Cargill. “By integrating renewable energy directly into our manufacturing infrastructure, we reduce emissions, enhance resilience and create lasting value. It is a strong example of what can be achieved when persistence and local insight come together to drive bold, transformative outcomes.”
Supply chain transparency and resilience
As the Australian Government works towards its 2035 target of reducing emissions to 62–70 per cent below 2005 levels, momentum is building across the food and agriculture sector to adopt lower carbon inputs and improve emissions transparency.
The initiative from Cargill supports this shift by powering its Newcastle Crush Plant with renewable electricity for the production of canola oil, cottonseed oil and animal meals. Cargill owns the solar array and keeps all renewable energy certificates generated onsite.
In addition to helping cut emissions, having the solar array onsite also helps strengthen supply chain resilience. With energy markets becoming increasingly volatile, generating electricity onsite helps stabilise costs and improve the overall reliability of Cargill’s operations, delivering greater certainty for customers and the wider supply chain.
Transforming the agricultural sector
The project is a part of Cargill’s broader investment in Australia’s oilseed processing network. In 2023, Cargill announced a AUD100 million investment to upgrade and expand its Newcastle, Narrabri and Footscray facilities to help meet growing demand for food, feed and renewable fuels.
Alongside this expansion, Cargill Australia has been implementing a series of initiatives to reduce the environmental footprint of its operations, including sustainability programs like Sustain Connect announced previously in 2024.
By investing in practical, scalable solutions, Cargill is building a more resilient, lower-carbon future for Australia’s food and agriculture sector. A video on the project and its impact on Cargill’s Newcastle operations is available here.
About Cargill
Cargill is committed to providing food, ingredients, agricultural solutions, and industrial products to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Sitting at the heart of the supply chain, we partner with farmers and customers to source, make and deliver products that are vital for living.
Our 155K+ employees innovate with purpose, providing customers with life’s essentials so businesses can grow, communities prosper, and consumers live well. With 160 years of experience as a family company, we look ahead while remaining true to our values. We put people first. We reach higher. We do the right thing – today and for generations to come. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
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