Tesco unveils new eco-store

Tesco today unveiled its first environmentally-friendly store which it claimed will use almost half the energy of a standard supermarket.

The new eco-store, in Tramore, Co Waterford, will cut CO2 emissions equivalent to 400 cars from escaping into the atmosphere.

Supermarket bosses said that when the 30,000 sq ft store opens next week, it will use 45% less energy than a regular outlet of a similar size.

More than 90 jobs have been created at the state-of-the-art store which was specially-designed to reduce energy consumption.

Tesco Ireland’s Dermot Breen said the firm was committed to reducing its environmental impact.

“The new ’eco’ store at Tramore is a key part of our overall environmental strategy and will help us understand the feasibility of standardising green initiatives in new stores and throughout the rest of our business,” he said.

“Last year we set ourselves a number of goals including a 50% reduction in carbon use by 2020.

“The programme also includes an investment of €30m in environmental measures throughout our business.”

The building’s frame was made from wood from a sustainable forest saving 400 tonnes of CO2 compared to a similar steel structure.

Fridges and freezers in the store will use 30% less energy than a conventional refrigeration system while solar panels were installed to help power cash registers.

High levels of insulation and a ventilation system which recycles more than 70% of heat will also significantly reduce energy consumption.

Tesco has already installed environmentally-friendly features in its 111 Irish stores including motion sensitive lighting and the redistribution of cold air to warmer parts of stores.

The Waterford store is the first supermarket in the country to be designed to the rigorous requirements set out by PassivHaus, a internationally-recognised low energy building design system.