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 approx. 20 percent of each store’s energy consumption and lead to an approximate total production of over 14,000 MWh per year.
16 Auchan stores and 12 from the Leroy Merlin network in the country are part of an extensive project to be equipped with photovoltaic panels, covering a total area of over 63,000 square meters. On the roof of each shop are installed, on average, approx. 1000 panels, with an average power of 400 W / panel, thus providing up to 20-30 percent 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.
“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 in being a local business partner,” said Benjamin Simonis, Helexia CEO.
The photovoltaic panels installed by Helexia have a lifespan of 25-30 years and are 95 percent 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 percent.
“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 percent 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 from the Climate Plan”, said Ionuț Ardeleanu, Director General of Auchan Retail Romania.
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 percent each year, so that by 2035 it will be halved compared to the reference year.
“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 percent of energy, and in this way, we want to thank our partners from Helexia for the support given in the realization of this project,” said Mathieu Bauduin, CEO of Leroy Merlin Romania.
