Kesko's energy savings ahead of challenging targets

Press release / 05.10.2011 13:00

KESKO CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 05.10.2011 AT 13.00 1(2)

Kesko has saved 34 GWh (gigawatt-hours) of energy in 2008-2010, which represents more than half of its target. In the trading sector energy efficiency agreement, Kesko is committed to saving 65GWh by the end of 2016, which is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of some 2,600 one-family houses. Biggest savings have been achieved through things that are visible on every shopping visit, such as chest freezer lids and signs illuminated with LED technology.

- Energy saving is one of the key means by which climate change can be mitigated. Kesko is one of the forerunners in energy saving. The rapid progress in the achievement of the targets proves that the measures are right and efficient, says Kesko's President and CEO Matti Halmesmäki.

Savings through lighting

LED technology is used in the illuminated signs of all new K-food stores, K-rauta, Rautia, Anttila and car stores. The resulting savings compared with traditional neon and fluorescent tube solutions are 60-70%. The general lighting of a store, implemented in K-supermarket Torpparinmäki, consumes over 35% less energy than the generally used energy efficient fluorescent tube lighting. Adjustable and targeted store lighting systems in the Anttila and Kodin Ykkönen stores save as much as half of conventional store lighting systems.

More than 4.3 kilometres of chest freezers with lids

All new K-food stores are fitted with freezer equipment with lids and doors. In terms of kilometres, the total length of lids and doors on K-food stores' freezer equipment exceed 4.3 kilometres. Chest freezers with lids save 30-40% of energy compared with those without lids. Annual energy savings achieved by chest freezer lids amount to some 13 GWh, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of nearly 600 one-family houses. Another pilot is being tested in K-food stores as doors are added to their existing juice and dairy cabins. The annual saving in electric energy achieved by this is about 30% compared to not having doors on the cabins.

Thanks to the recovery of condensation heat, K-food stores need district heat only in very low sub-zero temperatures. About half of new K-food stores use carbon dioxide recovered from industrial processes as a coolant in their refrigeration equipment.

Energy efficient building

Kesko's store site building uses solutions which reduce the material and energy consumption of properties during their entire life cycles. Rautakesko and Ruukki jointly developed an energy efficient store concept with results clearly exceeding the required level, which is mainly attributable to tightness and efficient heat recovery. The consumption of heat energy in Anttila's new logistics centre in Kerava is only one third of the heat energy consumption of the old warehouse in Hämeenkylä, Vantaa.

Real estate managers advise in energy saving

Kesko's 40 real estate managers regularly visit all of the K-Group stores giving advice on how to reduce energy consumption. More savings are also generated with the help of accurate measuring devices, timely maintenance of refrigeration equipment and temperature adjustments.

Kesko participates in the Energy Saving Week organised by Motiva taking place from 10th to16th October 2011.

Further information:
CR Manager Helena Frilander, Kesko Corporation, tel. +358 1053 23143 and
Maintenance Manager Jari Suuronen, Kesko Food Ltd, tel. +358 1053 22271.

Kesko (www.kesko.fi) is a retail specialist whose stores offer quality to the daily lives of consumers. Kesko has about 2,000 stores engaged in chain operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia, and Belarus.