Woolworths has invested a further R17,5 million in renewable energy projects to increase renewable energy sources at key locations.
The latest investment includes various solar installations to the value of R10,5 million and a renewable energy agreement of R7,3 million per annum at the companys head office and distribution centres in Cape Town, as well as its stores in Phalaborwa Mall in Limpopo and Greenacres Shopping Centre in the Eastern Cape.
The expansion of the solar installations at its head office building triples the capacity of the initial pilot completed in 2013, adding 357 KW. This will increase the solar energy capacity at the Woolworths head office to 465 KW.
Following the extension, approximately 11% of the energy requirements at head office will be met through solar power, including its energy-intensive national data centre.
At the retail level, transitioning to renewable energy requires substantial investment and collaboration with shopping centre owners, Woolworths says. Retailers often face challenges because they dont own the roof and rely on progressive and flexible landlords, like Phalaborwa Mall with which Woolworths partnered to install a 165 kWp grid-tied system on the malls roof, generating 30% of the stores energy needs. Similarly, at its Greenacres store in Gqeberha Woolworths is investing in a 300 kWp solar system, benefiting from partial roof ownership of the shopping centre.
Woolworths aims to source all of its energy from renewables by 2030. Through numerous interventions, including the installation of fridge doors in 348 of our food markets, smart technology and energy efficiency practices across all our stores, we have achieved a two-thirds reduction in our stores energy intensity over the last 15 years, says Feroz Koor , Woolworths Group Head of Sustainability.
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