Carrefour Polska expands solar initiative, aims for 35% photovoltaic usage by year-end

Carrefour Polska has announced the completion of 13 new photovoltaic installations across its stores, marking a significant step in its sustainability efforts. The newly installed solar panels, with a combined capacity of nearly 650 kWp, are expected to cut the company’s carbon dioxide emissions by over 448 tonnes annually. EDP Energia Polska supplied the photovoltaic solutions for this latest phase of the project.

As part of its commitment to the Carrefour Group’s global “Carrefour 2026” plan, Carrefour Polska aims to have 35% of its Polish stores using solar energy by the end of this year. This initiative is aligned with the Group’s broader goal of reducing electricity consumption by 20% worldwide by 2026. Additionally, the company has pledged to deploy 4.5 million square meters of solar panels across its global operations within the same timeframe.

The recent installations are part of a larger investment in photovoltaic systems, which began with the first solar setup on a hypermarket roof in Zgorzelec in 2017. Carrefour Polska’s latest expansion includes 13 new installations that will provide substantial energy savings and contribute to the company’s environmental objectives.

Sławomir Gomoliński, Carrefour Polska’s Asset Director, emphasized the importance of these efforts. “Our sustainability strategy includes significant steps to reduce electricity consumption and meet stringent CO2 regulations. The partnership with EDP Energia Polska has enabled us to expand our photovoltaic capabilities, with the goal of having solar energy power 35% of our hypermarkets and supermarkets by the end of the year. This will account for approximately 8% of our annual energy consumption in Poland,” Gomoliński said.

Beyond solar energy investments, Carrefour Polska is implementing additional measures to reduce energy usage and emissions. These include installing twilight sensors to adjust lighting automatically, using lockable fridges and refrigerated counters to minimize energy loss, and employing heat recovery systems. Other energy-saving initiatives include LED lighting, a free cooling and heating system, and an environmentally friendly refrigeration system.

Carrefour Polska operates over 900 stores in Poland across various formats, including hypermarkets, supermarkets, wholesale and discount stores, specialty shops, and an online platform. The company also owns more than 20 shopping centers and approximately 40 petrol stations in the country.

Source: Carrefour Polska and ISBnews