Waitrose aim for carbon negative

17 October 2011

A biomass energy centre which will reduce carbon emissions by more than 1000 tonnes a year is being developed for Waitrose’s new store in Bracknell. MITIE has started work on the tri-generation plant which will supply the supermarket with heat, electricity and chilled water.

This is the second energy centre MITIE has developed for Waitrose. The first at the retailer’s East Cowes store will be up and running in December. It is part of wider planned collaboration between MITIE and Waitrose that will help the supermarket chain achieve a carbon emissions reduction of 15 per cent by 2020/2021.

MITIE’s Asset Management business has developed and will operate the energy plant to power and heat the 36000 sq. ft. store during a 12 year contract. The plant will reduce the store’s typical consumption of grid electricity by 69% and gas by 84%.

Mike Tivey, Managing Director of MITIE’s Asset Management business, said: “Waitrose’s new energy centres will enable them to benefit from low carbon, efficient and resilient energy, as well as helping to meet their sustainability targets. This partnership is a perfect example of the economic and environmental benefits that decentralised energy is bringing to the private and public sectors.”

The Bracknell plant, which will source woodchip from local sustainable woodlands, is due to be up and running by the end of March. It will be housed in a new building next to the supermarket with the absorption chiller, dry air cooler and cooling tower located in the main store plant well.

The energy centre at Waitrose East Cowes will provide the same energy and carbon savings as at Bracknell. Both will be carbon negative stores.