The Range is installing solar panels on its warehouse rooftops as part of its commitment to reduce its operational carbon footprint and to help hedge the business againt the volatile energy market.
The rollout, in partnership with renewable energy marketplace InRange, will begin with the 4.2m sq ft roof of the discount chain’s distribution centre in Ashford, Kent.
The power generated on-site will be used for self-consumption and any surplus will be used for other The Range sites and sold to nearby large energy buyers.
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The retailer, which also owns Wilko, claims the initiative could shrink its electricity bills across the portfolio by at least 25%.
The Range CEO Alex Simpkin said the move forms part of the retailer’s Net Zero strategy: “Our partnership with InRange is a real demonstration of our commitment and has really sped up our efforts meaning we can already see immediate benefits for both us as a business and as a positive impact on our local communities.
InRange CEO John Mushriqui added: “We’re excited to work with The Range, empowering them to achieve their financial, economic, and environmental targets.
“It’s refreshing to see one of the UK’s largest retailers have the ambition to leverage their buildings as a retail energy network. It’s our mission to accelerate the roll out of on-site generation to their portfolio and achieve their ambitions.”
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