SuperValu, one of Ireland’s leading grocery retailers, announced that it plans to introduce solar panels for up to 30 of its stores over the next two years.
The retailer said that it will install energy-efficient PV panels to its store network as part of a €3 million investment, and are expected to offset some 60,000 kg of CO2 annually per store.
Energy from the panels is also expected to be used to supply energy to electric car charging points at selected stores.
The move comes from SuperValu’s commitment to reduce its energy consumption by 20% by 2020.
Energy-Efficient Retailer
“[The solar panels] will greatly reduce energy consumption across the store network and means that SuperValu retailers serve their communities in a more sustainable manner,” Daniel Murphy, SuperValu’s sustainability manager said at the launch in Fermoy, Co. Cork.
“This investment in solar panels demonstrates once again that as a community-focused retailer, SuperValu has taken a leadership position on sustainability.”
While some SuperValu stores already have solar panels installed, Fermoy will be the pilot store for the latest project.
Michael Riordan from SuperValu Fermoy received grant funding for the project under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) Better Energy Communities grant scheme.
“As a retailer who works and lives in Fermoy, I am passionate about supporting local charities and sporting organisations. I am also conscious that as a business with deep roots in Fermoy, Riordan’s needs to reduce its impact on the local community,” Riordan said.
“This is why I am delighted to install solar panels to SuperValu Fermoy. It will greatly reduce the store’s energy consumption, but more importantly, it will help to make Fermoy a great place for future generations to work and live.”
SuperValu has a strong track record of introducing energy-efficient equipment to its independent stores, with initiatives such as retrofitting energy-saving doors to refrigeration cabinets in 40% of its stores and installing LED lighting in over 60% of its store estate.
© 2018 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.