Woolworths has invested another R17,5 million in projects increasing its 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 company’s head office and distribution centres in Cape Town as well as stores in Phalaborwa Mall, Limpopo, and Greenacres Shopping Centre in the Eastern Cape.

Expansion of the solar installations at its head office triples the capacity of the initial pilot completed in 2013, adding 357 kW, and increases its solar energy capacity to 465 kW.

Approximately 11% of the energy requirements at head office will be met through solar power, including its energy-intensive national data centre.

At retail level, transitioning to renewable energy requires substantial investment and collaboration with shopping centre owners, Woolworths points out. Retailers often face challenges because they don’t own the roof and rely on progressive and flexible landlords like Phalaborwa Mall where Woolworths partnered to install a 165 kWp grid-tied system on the roof to generate 30% of its energy needs. Similarly, at its Greenacres store in Gqeberha, Woolworths is investing in a 300 kWp solar system with partial ownership of the shopping centre roof.

Woolworths is aiming 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 past 15 years,” says Feroz Koor, Woolworths Group Head of Sustainability.