IKEA unpacks more solar panels and electric vehicle charging points

International furniture retailer IKEA is increasing the ambition of its eco programme, installing solar panels on 85% of its US stores and distribution centres and more electric vehicle charging points.

Last December, the company said it planned to install solar panels on 75% of its US stores and distribution centres with a total generating capacity of 26.8 MW, but has now upped that target.

The latest to be plugged in is a 4984 panel array at its College Park, Maryland store, which will produce around 1,571,800 kWh of clean electricity a year.

The retailer has also completed the installation of electric vehicle recharging stations, in partnership with ECOtality, at eight out of nine stores in the west of the US.

Most recently, four Blink Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations have been switched on at IKEA’s East Palo Alto, California store.

These projects and the company’s progress against a whole raft of targets are outlined in the 2011 IKEA Sustainability Report, released last week.

To date, the company has allocated €470 million for investment in renewables, split between €200 million for solar photovoltaics and €270 million for wind farms.

Currently, IKEA has or will install over the next 18 months 69 wind turbines and 124 photovoltaic developments, and has purchased 27 wind turbines this financial year.

The retailer is also working to increase energy efficiency in its stores, which has improved 4%, saving €6.2 million in 2011.

“The sense of urgency around sustainability in IKEA has intensified and we are continuing to push ourselves to do even more. We are working hard to secure more renewable energy, protect raw materials and drive innovation to eliminate waste - choosing instead to create new, valuable resources,” says Steve Howard, the company’s chief sustainability officer.

For further information:
www.IKEA.com

21 February 2012

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