The company is working on the project in partnership with global asset management company Amber Infrastructure which has offices in the UK, the US, Germany and Australia. The new solar PV system will cover the site’s 900,000 square foot roof, generating over 5,000 MWh of electricity per year, enough to power 1,190 houses.
The 24,272 panel array will also lower M&S’s carbon footprint by 48,000 tonnes over 20 years. The energy generated will be enough to make the fully automated distribution centre close to self-sufficient during daylight hours.
The solar PV roof is one of a number of onsite renewable projects set to be announced by M&S over the next 12 months. These projects will help take the company one step closer to fulfilling its commitment to ensure 50 percent of the electricity used in its building operations comes from small scale renewable sources by 2020.
“This further enhances the sustainability credentials of our BREEAM Excellent Castle Donington site” said Hugo Adams, Director of Property at M&S. “Coupled with one of Europe’s largest solar thermal walls, the new solar PV system will make the building one of the most sustainable distribution centres in the world.”
Tom O’Shaughnessy, Partner at Amber Infrastructure, added that the project will create a template for the delivery of similar schemes across the UK.
Amber Infrastructure will be supplying and installing the 6.1MWp solar panel system which will in turn supply generated electricity to M&S via a 20 year Power Purchase Agreement. Completion of the project is expected in early 2015.
For additional information:
