Tesco Ireland has installed solar panels at its store in Ballybane, as part of ongoing efforts to help reduce energy consumption.
The photovoltaic (PV ) panels combined with other energy optimisation measures for lighting, heating and ventilation will help meet up to 20 percent of the store’s annual electricity needs.
Tesco Ireland, Convenience Director, Ken Collins said that as the Ballybane store has a relatively small footprint at 7,000 square feet, we are making the most out of the roof space available. In this instance, the PV panels will generate 84,000 kWhr of free electricity, while the other controls measures will offer 26,000 kWhr for optimisation.”
Tesco Ballybane store opened in November of last year following refurbishment and refit of the store, as part of a portfolio of nine new outlets opened in Galway in 2022.
Tesco Ireland has been appointed as a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG ) champion for 2023-2024 by the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Éamon Ryan TD. Under SDG 7 Renewable energy, Tesco has recently installed solar panels, and electric vehicles as part of its commitment to improving the sustainability of its portfolio.
It 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 in Dublin, which generates 1.5 million kwh of electricity per year, of which 10 percent feeds back to the national grid.
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 166 stores.
