Tesco Ireland has partnered with Enerpower to install more than two thousand Solar PV panels at its stores in Liffey Valley and Naas. The move is the latest in a series of measures aimed at creating more energy efficiencies across its business.
The roof solar panels will provide just under 20 percent of the electricity needs of the stores and will generate 745,000 kwh of electricity which will save 200 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year.
In total the two stores will generate enough power annually to run approximately 180 homes.
Dr John Carty from Enerpower said: “We are delighted to be working with Tesco again to help them enhance their solar capabilities, which will help cut their costs significantly, and of course reduce their overall carbon footprint.”
Speaking at the store in Liffey Valley, Minister of State Jack Chambers said: “I am delighted to see Tesco harnessing the massive potential of solar energy to provide cheaper, green energy to their Liffey Valley store. For a store of this type, it makes great sense and I hope to see others follow this lead. In addition to providing one fifth of their energy needs, it will also significantly reduce the stores carbon footprint and contribute positively to Ireland’s sustainability agenda.”
Tesco already sources 100 percent renewable energy to power its network of stores, offices, and distribution centre. It also produces energy via a wind turbine at its Distribution Centre at Donabate, which generates 1.5 million kwh of electricity per year, of which 30% feeds back to the national grid.
Rosemary Garth, Director of Communications, Tesco Ireland said: “We are absolutely committed to a more sustainable store model, and we are very excited about what the installation at Liffey Valley and Naas can offer us in in terms of energy savings over time. We have already managed to reduce our overall energy consumption as a business by 25 percent, and we remain focused on our commitment to reach a net zero target of 2035 for our own operations.”
The company has made significant progress towards its climate action targets to date, with energy efficiency upgrades taken on refrigeration, lighting, and heating systems across its network of 165 stores. The retailer has also recently begun an electric van trial for its home delivery fleet from its Bloomfields store in Dun Laoghaire, as part of its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2035.
