Waitrose opens first energy centre

The new energy centre at Waitrose East Cowes
Connections/ Waitrose Chronicle

Waitrose officially opened its first energy centre at the end of March, in a move that sees the East Cowes branch become the first UK supermarket to receive most of its heating, cooling and power from sustainably sourced local woodchip.

The innovative technology will slash the Isle of Wight shop’s carbon emissions by more than 750 tonnes a year. It should also in future be able to heat local homes and community facilities. It was developed by Waitrose and energy services company MITIE, and includes a visitor centre.

Jim Burnett, Engineering Manager, Projects (Waitrose), describes it as “innovative and exciting”. “It’s another fantastic first in retail by Waitrose.”

Waitrose East Cowes already has a number of ‘green’ initiatives reflecting the Partnership’s commitment to reduce its absolute carbon footprint by 15 per cent by 2020. Branch Manager Richard Tudor-Thomas says: “Sourcing our energy this way not only reduces our carbon footprint and reliance on the national grid, but allows us to contribute more to the community we serve.”

Connections, May 2012

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