As part of one of the largest transition projects to green energy, 28 stores of retailers Auchan and Leroy Merlin are equipped with over 27,000 photovoltaic panels in a partnership with Helexia, a subsidiary of Voltalia, a major European supplier for the energy transition. Photovoltaic installations cover approximately 20% of each store’s energy consumption and lead to an approximate total production of more than 14,000 MWh per year. Also, by developing this green energy project, the companies actively contribute to reducing the negative impact on the environment, avoiding the production of over 8,000 tons of CO2 annually.
“The panels are used entirely for self-consumption”, claims Ionuț Ardeleanu, Director General of Auchan Retail Romania, during a press conference on Monday.
Thus, about 16 Auchan stores and 12 from the Leroy Merlin network in the country are part of a large project to be equipped with photovoltaic panels, covering a total area of over 63,000 square meters. On average, around 1,000 panels are installed on the roof of each store, with an average power of 400 W/panel, thus providing up to 20-30% of a store’s energy consumption.
The development, construction and maintenance of solar roofs are provided by Helexia, an important player in the energy transition sector, present in Romania since 2022. In addition to energy production, the company addresses organizations in Romania with financing solutions, electric mobility or energy audits who proposed to decarbonize their operations.
“It is a privilege to extend our successful partnership with Leroy Merlin and Auchan Retail in Central Europe. Today, as we inaugurate these projects, we reaffirm our belief that Romania is a fundamental piece in our global puzzle, and we are proud to have made this investment in its future. Being a successful global player means that we must excel at being a local business partner,” says Benjamin Simonis, CEO of Helexia.
The photovoltaic panels installed by Helexia have a lifespan of 25-30 years and are 95% recyclable.
For Auchan, the photovoltaic panel installation project is part of the decarbonization and transition to green energy measures already set in the 2030 Climate Plan, with the aim of having a direct impact in combating climate change. Along with it, in line with the company’s strategy regarding the decarbonization of operations, in 2022 the retailer started an extensive set of actions that ensure the decrease of the company’s energy consumption by 20%.
“Climate change and the decarbonisation of operations is a topic of vital importance to us and future generations. This is precisely why we have made a strong commitment to continue investing in measures to protect the planet, the photovoltaic panel project being one of these initiatives. 16 of our stores are equipped with over 18,000 panels, which allows us to save approx. 20% of a store’s consumption. The savings already achieved through energy efficiency and the energy sobriety plan that we have in progress, have an important contribution to ensuring low prices every day. We thank the Helexia team for the support given in this transition and in accelerating the achievement of our objectives in the Climate Plan,” adds Ionuț Ardeleanu.
For Leroy Merlin, this initiative is a concrete manifestation of the company’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement. Starting in 2022, the retailer aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 5% each year, so that by 2035 it will be halved compared to the reference year. To achieve this ambitious goal, Leroy Merlin has implemented a series of innovative measures, from offering sustainable solutions for the energy renovation of Romanians’ homes, to decarbonizing the product range and optimizing transport solutions.
“We are committed to contributing to a healthier planet, happier people and prosperity through steady and incremental action. We reduced the lighting in the car parks at night, carried out energy audits and introduced LED lighting and motion sensors. We have also replaced halogen bulbs with LED bulbs and through the fir recycling campaign we are turning used fir into eco-friendly products. The photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs of the stores help us to save up to 27% of energy, and in this way we want to thank our partners from Helexia for the support given in the realization of this project,” also says Mathieu Bauduin, CEO of Leroy Merlin Romania.
The ambitions and development plans for the coming years were presented by the three general directors on Monday, September 2, during the event to inaugurate the photovoltaic installations. Mircea Fechet, the Minister of the Environment, Waters and Forests, reiterated the fact that with the 2 billion lei budget allocated to prosumers this year, he hopes that storage will become the sine-qua non element for any project.
