Centrica is to deploy 7GW of distributed, low carbon technologies over the next decade, with solar and battery storage set to play a crucial role.
The utility giant established the target as part of its Responsible Business Ambitions (RBA) drive, which will support its United Nations-backed Sustainable Development Goals and wider sustainability initiatives.
Centrica’s distributed energy and power business is to play a vital role in the deployment activity, which is to be split between customer solutions and Centrica-owned projects.
The firm has already completed a 49MW battery storage facility at Roosecote and is entering the final installation stages for its Local Energy Marketplace in Cornwall, which will combine domestic and C&I solar and storage installations to create a peer-to-peer trading network.
James Rushen, group head of environment at Centrica, said the firm wanted to continue to play a “meaningful role” in tackling climate change.
“We’ve already come a long way and now produce over 80% less carbon than we did a decade ago through shifting our focus away from being a traditional utility operating centralised generation and production assets to become a customer-facing energy and services company.
“We have now committed to reduce Centrica’s internal emissions by a further 35% in the ten years to 2025 and, by 2030, demonstrate that we remain on track with Paris and develop a path to net zero by 2050.
“We are now entering a new phase where we must innovate to facilitate and harness our customers’ ability to change, finding ways to help our customers use energy more sustainably, decarbonise the energy system and reduce our own emissions,” he said.