At the same time, Fermoy retailer Riordan’s SuperValu has been shortlisted in the ‘Small and Medium Business – Exemplary energy management’ category at the same awards. Last year, the store became the first SuperValu store in Munster to install solar panels, as part of a €3 million investment by SuperValu to roll out the technology across its store network.
The introduction of solar panels was part of a wider community suitability scheme, run in association with the SEAI, which saw Riordan’s SuperValu and other stores across Ireland investing time and money to build sustainable communities around Ireland. Following the store’s participation in the SEAI scheme, Riordan’s SuperValu reduced its carbon footprint by over 40%.
The Musgrave Energy Team has worked with 40 of Musgrave’s independent retailers across the country to fit environmentally friendly refrigeration systems, greatly reducing their energy consumption. Looking ahead, Musgrave’s team will continue to work with independently owned and operated retailers to make their stores more energy-efficient, with plans to roll out solar panels to 30 SuperValu stores over the next two years.
Commenting on the SEAI awards nomination, Daniel Murphy, Sustainability Manager, Musgrave, said, “We look at sustainability differently from other businesses; for us, sustainability means living up to the core responsibilities that any good business should; to look after its people and customers, to minimise its impact on the environment. We have set ambitious annual energy and waste reduction targets and put renewable and alternative energy in place to cut our carbon footprint. We’re honoured to be shortlisted for the Energy Awards as our nominations illustrates our achievements to make our business more energy efficient.”
Now in its sixteenth year, the SEAI Energy Awards recognise and reward excellence in all aspects of energy management across seven categories. The winners of the 2019 SEAI Energy Awards are set to be announced at a Gala Awards ceremony on October 16th in the Radisson Golden Lane, Dublin.