BOC Makes Major Leap Toward Renewable Energy
In a significant shift away from fossil fuels, industrial gas supplier BOC has announced a landmark renewable energy deal that will see nearly half of its electricity needs met by solar power across three Australian states. The company, which supplies specialty gases to manufacturers and hospitals, has entered into a 10-year agreement to source electricity from the New England solar farm in New South Wales. The move is expected to power 45% of BOC’s operations in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland.
The agreement, struck with renewable energy retailer Zen Energy and electricity generator Acen Australia, marks a substantial step toward BOC’s sustainability goals. Owned by global gas and engineering firm Linde, BOC solar power aims to reduce its Australian carbon emissions by 40% by the year 2035. The transition positions BOC alongside other major corporations like Rio Tinto, which recently committed to long-term renewable energy sourcing.
Strategic and Economic Benefits Drive the Transition
BOC’s managing director for Australia, Theo Martin, emphasized that this renewable energy shift is not only an environmental milestone but also a financially strategic move. “This agreement represents a substantial initial step forward and supports Linde’s global emissions reduction targets,” Martin said. He also noted that the company secured “a very competitive commercial rate” through the deal with Zen Energy, underlining that the switch aligns with both ecological and economic interests.
Furthermore, the company believes that the use of BOC solar power will benefit its customers as well. By reducing the carbon intensity of the industrial gases it supplies, BOC is helping clients meet their own sustainability targets. Zen Energy CEO Anthony Garnaut echoed these sentiments, pointing out that long-term contracts with favorable pricing, rising customer demand for sustainable products, and increased investor focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance are all accelerating the shift to clean energy. “This is the transition to renewable energy in action and at scale,” Garnaut said.
Industry-Wide Impact on Australia’s Energy Landscape
The announcement from BOC Solar Power comes amid growing attention on how industrial energy decisions are reshaping electricity usage in Australia. Hugh Sheehan from the Climateworks Centre noted that large industrial firms are responsible for around 44% of the country’s total energy use and 40% of its electricity consumption annually. He emphasized that when companies of BOC’s size shift to renewables, the impact is far more significant than individual or small business efforts.
Sheehan also stated that firms like BOC Solar Power and Rio Tinto are making smart business decisions by future-proofing themselves in an economy that is steadily moving toward net-zero emissions. As the federal Coalition continues to push for increased access to fossil gas, corporate moves like BOC’s demonstrate a contrasting and forward-looking vision—one driven by long-term viability, competitive advantage, and environmental responsibility.
In the broader context of Australia’s climate goals, BOC’s solar-powered transformation stands out as a powerful example of industry-led innovation in the clean energy era.
