Donegal EUROSPAR supermarket leads way on new renewable energy partnership
EUROSPAR Gortahork has become the first to install advanced solar panels as part of initiative developed by BWG.
The store, owned by Thomas McClafferty, is the first shop to complete the solar panel installation which is expected to see a 15 percent reduction in the store’s carbon emissions and a significant annual cost saving on energy bills of up to 15 percent. Further installations are being rolled out to other EUROSPAR stores in Louth and Kilkenny over the coming weeks, as part of the partnership.
Requiring normal daylight to function, the advanced solar panels that will be deployed as part of the scheme are highly efficient and are designed to deliver significant energy cost savings.
The partnership with Enerpower was developed by BWG Foods, owners and operators of the EUROSPAR brand, as part of its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of retail businesses on their communities and to encourage independent retailers to improve their green footprint.
The planned installations are due to be completed by the end of September after which it is expected that there will be further uptake of the initiative among EUROSPAR retailers.
Speaking on behalf of EUROSPAR, Managing Director, Malachy Hanberry said: “We are delighted that EUROSPAR in Gortahork is the first store to connect as part of this exciting partnership. As a leading retail brand, EUROSPAR is committed to seeking out new opportunities and innovations that will help us and our retailers to reduce our carbon footprint. We look forward to other retailers benefiting from this collaboration as they seek to future-proof their businesses from an environmental impact perspective.”
Speaking about the partnership, Dr John Carty, Projects Director of Enerpower, said: “We’re delighted to have worked with the team at EUROSPAR and with the McClafferty’s in Gortatork to see the first of what we hope will be many installations complete. While industry in Ireland has been slower than other European countries to install solar panels – the fact that a leading retail brand such as EUROSPAR has taken a lead in encouraging its retailers to consider solar panel installation gives encouragement that many more will follow.”
On behalf of EUROSPAR Gortahork and the McClafferty family, Thomas McClafferty, said: “We are delighted with this addition to our EUROSPAR supermarket. That we will benefit from significant savings while also helping the environment is a great bonus and I am thrilled that we are the first EUROSPAR supermarket in the estate to have this innovation.”
