Sainsbury's to Install Geothermal Energy Systems in 100 Stores

July 26, 2012

Sainsbury's is working with E.ON and Geothermal International to roll out the first phase of a geothermal energy solution to deliver up to 100 stores heating, hot water and cooling capacity.

Sainsbury's logo image Both new-build and existing stores have been identified as part of separate projects with E.ON and Geothermal International. Both companies will install and operate geothermal heat pump technology that follows Sainsbury's successful world-first use of geothermal technology developed by Greenfield Energy at its Crayford store, which supplies 30 percent of its energy from onsite renewable sources.

The plans aim to deliver up to 100MW of renewable energy sources to Sainsbury’s supermarkets by the end of 2016, which will reduce each store’s energy consumption by approximately 30 percent. The plan will also reduce Sainsbury’s carbon emissions by 30 percent as well.

"We are continuing to lead the way in environmental firsts. We were the world's first to use geothermal technology in a supermarket to tap natural, renewable energy trapped 600 feet under the ground,” said Neil Sachdev, Sainsbury's property director, said. “We've also reduced our absolute electricity usage in supermarkets by over 9 percent in the past four years despite an increase in space.”

E.ON, one of the U.K.'s leading energy companies, is working with thermal energy specialist Greenfield Energy which developed the geothermal technology that was first pioneered at Sainsbury's Crayford store in southeast London. Its unique borehole designs also allow largescale installations while using minimal land area.

"We've often said the most efficient power station is the one we don't have to build and this technology is an excellent solution to deliver locally produced, renewable energy at a scale that really makes a difference,” said Michael Woodhead, managing director of E.ON's sustainable energy business.

Sainsbury's other key partner is one of the U.K's leading ground source heat pump businesses, Geothermal International, which is working in partnership with Octopus Investments to support the growth of the renewable energy market in the U.K.

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