Minister shouts news of Tesco-Greenvolt Next partnership from Dundalk rooftop

Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien TD was in north Louth this week, for an announcement from Tesco and renewable energy solutions provider, Greenvolt Next Ireland, about a partnership aimed at boosting the retailer’s solar energy generation.

Tesco has joined forces with Greenvolt Next Ireland in a project to significantly boost solar energy capacity at its larger stores across the country. By the end of the year, solar panels will be installed on 24 Tesco locations nationwide, generating an impressive 6MW+ of renewable energy, with 5MW of that coming from its partnership with Greenvolt Next Ireland alone.

This solar installation, along with other smaller renewable projects across Tesco Ireland’s stores, will generate enough clean electricity each year to power around 1,150 homes. A wind turbine at Tesco’s Distribution Centre at Donabate also generates 1500 MWh of electricity each year, of which 30% feeds back to the national grid.

This represents a big step forward and will boost Tesco’s total renewable energy capacity to 6.2 GWh annually, and copper fasten its status as a sustainability leader in Irish retail.

More than 2,000 solar panels have already been installed at Tesco Extra stores in Liffey Valley and Naas, while the latest phase, saw solar panel installations completed at Tesco Extra stores in Dundalk, Clearwater, and Arklow, and at Superstores in Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballybeg.

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Solar panels can provide up to 20% of a store’s electricity needs, easing pressure on the national grid and helping support the Government's efforts to reach EU targets on carbon emissions.

Geoff Byrne, CEO at Tesco Ireland, said: “We are fully committed to being carbon neutral in our own operations by 2035, and this is a strategic priority for us. Having on-site renewable energy generation is a key part of that plan.

"We are delighted to have the endorsement of Minister Darragh O’Brien for this important initiative and with Greenvolt Next Ireland’s support, we will significantly boost our total renewable energy generation while reducing demand on the national electricity grid.”

Speaking at the Tesco Extra Store in Dundalk, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien TD said: “It’s a very positive step forward to see Tesco harnessing the massive potential of solar energy to provide cheaper, green energy for their larger stores.

"This will without a doubt significantly reduce the stores’ carbon footprint and contribute in a very positive way to Ireland’s sustainability agenda.” 

Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland, commented: “The large flat roof spaces of big retail units provide an excellent opportunity to seamlessly integrate solar panels, reducing both energy costs and emissions.

"Tesco has been a front-runner in adopting renewable energy, and we are delighted to be enhancing its solar energy capacity further, helping Tesco meet its ambitious decarbonisation goals.”