Energy efficiency scheme has positive impact in community
By Maurice Garvey
AN ENERGY efficiency scheme has led to the installation of new solar panels of the roof of Supervalu Sundrive – which is the equivalent in energy terms to powering 16 houses per year in the local community.
The Building Sustainable Communities’ initiative is a collaboration between SuperValu Sundrive and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to spearhead environmental change in Irish retail and local communities.
The scheme at the SuperValu in Sundrive will have a positive impact on the community
In partnership with the SEAI, up to 10 stores across Ireland are participating in the initiative.
SuperValu Sundrive identified areas of their own operation which could be made more energy efficient.
It also enabled them to identify community buildings in their area to donate funds to upgrade their facilities. The overall objective of this initiative is to reduce energy costs, fossil fuel usage and greenhouse gas emissions year on year.
Under the scheme, the store had brand new solar PV panels installed on the roof which led to energy usage reductions of over 67,000 KWH – the equivalent to powering 16 houses per year.
SuperValu Sundrive owner Marc Flanagan said: “This was a hugely successful partnership with the SEAI for us and we’re delighted with the results so far. To be able to see the positive impact of this initiative in our local community is brilliant.”
In previous years, the store upgraded their freezers and also underwent an energy efficiency overhaul, with new LED lighting upgrades installed.
Not only is the store conserving energy through the refrigeration cabinets and LED lighting upgrades, they are also now creating their own eco-friendly energy to power their store, while seeing a significant reduction in their energy bills.
SuperValu Sundrive also nominated Peamount Utd FC as their partner community group, so that they too could become more energy efficient.
As a result of the initiative, funding was provided to the Newcastle football club for an LED lighting upgrade which led to an annual saving of €600 on their energy bills.
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