MARKS & SPENCER SIGNS RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY CONTRACT WITH ENERGIA
Marks & Spencer has extended its contract with independent energy supplier Energia to purchase renewable electricity equivalent to the amount used to power 40 of its Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland stores.
The new renewable electricity contract, effective from April 2010 until 2013, is another major step towards achieving the retailer’s Plan A objective to source or generate 100% ‘green’ electricity for M&S stores, offices and distribution centres in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Under the contract, Energia will supply M&S with renewable electricity from a number of wind farms. The contract also allows for a quantity of the supply to be purchased directly from local independent small-scale generators of renewables, meaning that M&S can continue with its pioneering drive to encourage the development of renewable electricity.
Mervyn Bowden, Head of Energy Management at Marks & Spencer, said: “Securing this contract with Energia means we can continue to move towards our goal of using 100% renewable energy across our stores and offices. The contract also strengthens our market-leading commitment to encouraging local small third-party generators, including some of our own suppliers, to develop renewable electricity.”
Gavin McLean, Marks & Spencer Account Manager with Energia said: “Energia and Marks & Spencer have been working together for some time to achieve environment and cost savings. These initiatives not only benefit Marks & Spencer but the whole community. We are delighted to have extended our supply relationship with Marks & Spencer. Energia has built up significant ‘green’ energy resources over the past number of years and is in a great position to provide the environmentally sustainable power that large organisations like Marks & Spencer need.”
- Ends -
Contact
Emma Johnson Corporate PR 020 8718 1980
Notes to Editors
- Marks & Spencer also has long-term ‘green’ tariff renewable electricity contracts for its stores and offices in England, Wales and Scotland.
- M&S currently buys over 30% of its electricity from renewable sources, compared with a starting point of just 2% in 2006/07 and is on plan to meet its 100% target by 2012.
About Energia
- A member of the Viridian Group, energia has 250MW of operational renewable electricity capacity contracted within its energy portfolio, with a further 400MW of wind farm projects currently in development across Ireland and due for completition by 2012. This will equate to 25% of the island’s wind capacity.
- Energia also sources conventional power from the Group’s power stations in north Dublin, where the company has invested €500 million with the capability to supply up to 17% of electricity requirements on an all-island basis.
- Energia has a 25% market share of the business electricity market on an all–island basis with over 50,000 customers. The company also supplies 20% of all gas consumed in Ireland by the country’s business gas users.
- Energia has offices in, Belfast, Omagh, Dublin, Galway and Cork.