Retailers

PetPlace unveils £250k net-zero investment

All of the retailer’s vehicles are now electric, including forklift trucks in the warehouses, and more energy efficiency improvements are set to follow

PetPlace has invested over £250k in powering its net-zero vision, which has seen up to 450 solar panels installed in stores in Abergele and Llangefni, with Ruthin, Mold and Gledrid, Oswestry sites set to follow.

The retailer has also introduced electric charging points at Gledrid, Llangefni and its Kinmel Bay headquarters – with Mold and Abergele next to have them.

Related Articles

These sites also now have electric rather than gas forklift vehicles, electric company cars and digital display screens, which PetPlace said it hopes will help towards the reduction of printed material. The retailer added that energy efficiency improvements will follow.

Advertisement

Owners Sion Pritchard and Paul Penketh enlisted Tremeirchion and St Asaph-based Hafod Renewable Energy to supply and fit the panels, and worked closely with other local firms to support the North Wales economy and push ahead with its ‘green vision’ as a sustainable, responsible employer.

The project equated to around a quarter of an acre of solar panels, and the installation included more than 1km of mounting rail and a battery system that will store energy to run PetPlace’s freezers overnight, producing more than 160,000kwh per year – enough to power 50 homes.

Sion Pritchard, co-owner of PetPlace, said: “The investment in solar panels alone will result in a carbon saving of around 40 tons of C02 per year, so long-term we will see the benefits. Initially, we have focused on Abergele and Llangefni, but we will look to roll out as we rebrand and refurbish our other stores.

“We are focused on supporting local businesses in all sectors, not just our own, which also lowers our carbon footprint and further strengthens the economy in this region at a challenging time for all industries.”

David Jones, Hafod Renewable Energy co-founder, added: “It was fantastic to work in partnership with such a respected, growing business which has embraced sustainability and renewable energy.

“Due to the energy crisis – which has resulted in a surge in enquiries – we are also expanding, opening a new head office and taking on two more staff so it’s a very busy time for us.”

Back to top button