• Nóirín Byrne
  • 2 min read
“Through the Musgrave 2020 Sustainability Plan we have now become the leading retailer in sustainability in Ireland, promoting sustainable communities and delivering 10.6GWh of electricity savings each year from 2015 to 2020 - that’s the equivalent of 5,000 industrial scale wind turbines!” Daniel Murphy (Musgrave Cost & Sustainability Manager)

Musgrave, one of Ireland’s longest running family business, is the largest grocery distributor, with a portfolio of brands including SuperValu and Centra. Musgrave and its retail partners support more than 41,000 jobs, in more than 1,440 stores across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Spain.

Sustainability is a key focus for the food wholesaler and for the past four years Musgrave have been working on their sustainability plan to reduce energy consumption by a further 20% by the end of 2020. Their 2020 sustainability plan is to deliver 10.6GWh of electricity savings each year from 2015 to 2020 - resulting in cumulative savings of 223GWh over the lifetime of the plan. Through the Large Industry Energy Network, SEAI support Musgraves to improve energy performance across its strong portfolio of brands.

Through this support, SEAI provide Musgrave with the knowledge and skills to empower individual stores on their own sustainable energy journey. Riordan’s SuperValu in Fermoy received Energy MAP training and grant application support. Musgrave supported Riordan’s SuperValu throughout their Better Energy Community grant application process, which saw them receive €45,000 towards their energy upgrade project, 30% of the total project costs. Last year, the store became the first SuperValu in Munster to install solar panels, as part of a €3 million investment by the grocery retailer to roll out the technology across its store network.

Musgrave delivered one of the most successful models in the BEC scheme over the past five years which includes their retailers donating the equivalent of their first year’s energy savings to energy upgrades in clubs and charities in local communities. As part of the community grant Riordan’s in Fermoy generously donated circa €15k towards an energy upgrade in Enable Ireland.

 

Musgrave commit to #ClimateAction and a cleaner energy future #SEAILargeBusiness

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What does the future look like?

Looking ahead, Musgrave said that its 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 by the end of 2020.

SEAI Energy Awards

In 2019 Riordan’s SuperValu Fermoy was shortlisted for SME of the Year at the SEAI Energy Awards. They impressed judges with their inclusive and long-term approach to improved energy management. The SEAI Energy Awards 2020 are now open for applications. Join Ireland’s ambitious energy leaders and apply now.

 

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