• 24 Tesco sites will generate renewable power of 7MW
• Solar power will meet 20% of a store’s electricity needs
• Supporting Tesco’s 2035 Carbon Neutrality Goal

Tesco has joined forces with renewable energy solutions provider Greenvolt Next Ireland to significantly boost solar energy capacity at its larger stores across the country. The retailer now has 24 sites generating an impressive 7MW of renewable energy, with 5MW of that coming from its partnership with Greenvolt Next.

This solar installation, along with other smaller projects across Tesco Ireland’s stores, will generate enough clean electricity each year to power around 900 homes. It’s a major step forward that boosts Tesco’s total renewable energy capacity to 4.4 GWh annually and reinforces its role as a sustainability leader in Irish retail.

Greenvolt Next have already installed more than 2,000 solar panels at Tesco Extra stores in Liffey Valley and Naas, while the latest phase, funded by a 26-year power purchase agreement (PPA), has just completed at Tesco Extra stores in Dundalk, Clearwater, and Arklow, and at Superstores in Carrick-on-Shannon and Ballybeg.

These panels provide up to 20% of a store’s electricity needs, easing pressure on the national grid and helping to support the Government's efforts to reach EU targets on carbon emissions.

Geoff Byrne, CEO at Tesco Ireland, said: 
“We are committed to being carbon neutral by 2035, and having our own on-site renewable energy generation is a key part of that plan. With Greenvolt Next’s help, we are significantly boosting our total renewable energy generation in Ireland, cutting energy costs, and reducing demand on the grid.”

Owen Power, CEO of Greenvolt Next Ireland, commented: 
“The large flat roof spaces of big retail units provide an excellent opportunity to seamlessly integrate solar panels, reducing both energy costs and emissions. Tesco has been a front-runner in adopting renewable energy, and we are delighted to enhance its solar energy capacity further, helping Tesco meet its ambitious decarbonisation goals.”

Speaking at the Tesco Extra Store in Dundalk, Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh O’Brien TD said: 
“It’s a very positive step forward to see Tesco harnessing the massive potential of solar energy to provide cheaper, green energy for their larger stores. This will help to significantly reduce the stores carbon footprint and contribute positively to Ireland’s sustainability agenda.” 

Plans are underway to expand the rollout to a further 26 stores in the coming years, with installations scheduled at Tesco’s distribution centre in Ballymun, as well as stores in Mitchelstown, Nenagh, New Ross, and Tullow this year.

In addition to the large solar PV projects, Tesco are installing solar panels on a further nine sites, contributing an additional 1 MW of on-site renewable generation this year.

KeyFacts Energy News: Solar