E ON : METRO and E.ON agree on nationwide photovoltaic initiative

Joint Press Release

METRO Deutschland and E.ON are launching one of the largest connected photovoltaic rooftop systems in Germany in the future. On the roofs of up to 30 METRO wholesale centers, E.ON will install solar power systems that will enable the company to generate its own electricity from renewable energy sources. In this way, METRO will save up to 12,000 tons of CO per year in the long term as operator of the plants in Germany.

The project starts at the METRO locations in Mannheim and Gundelfingen near Freiburg as well as in Regensburg, Nuremberg-Buch and Nuremberg-Eibach. The solar power produced there is entirely used to supply METRO Deutschland with its own electricity. On average, 16 percent of the energy consumption of a wholesale market can be covered by solar energy in this way. The plants will produce a total of up to 20 gigawatt hours (GWh) per year, which corresponds to around nine percent of METRO Deutschland's total electricity requirements. In this way, METRO is helping to stabilize its energy costs. At the same time, photovoltaic initiative makes an important contribution to achieving METRO's climate target. In 2011, the Group has set itself the goal of reducing its CO emissions by a total of 50 percent by 2030.

'With the construction of photovoltaic systems in our stores, we are setting a new milestone in our commitment to the use of new energies and to protect the climate,' says Thomas Storck, CEO of METRO Deutschland. 'With E.ON, we have a competent and reliable partner at our side.'

'METRO Cash & Carry pursues exceptionally ambitious goals for sustainability. We are proud to implement this project as a partner. E.ON can contribute its know-how in such a way that the best possible result is achieved for customers and the climate,' says Bernd Schumacher, CEO of E.ON Connecting Energies.

The photovoltaic systems are planned and constructed by E.ON. METRO-operated plants are monitored by the E.ON Remote Control Center in Hamburg, kept in the best possible operating condition and optimized in the long term. Construction of the first plants will be the prelude to further stores in which it will be possible to generate a share of the company's own energy supply from solar power in the future. The systems on the market roofs have a rated output of up to 749 kilowatts peak (kWp).

METRO Deutschland is already implementing extensive energy-saving measures in its stores today, from lighting controlled by motion detectors to the installation of refrigerated rack doors in order to minimize cooling losses. In addition, the Energy Awareness Program makes employees more aware of the topic. In 2016, METRO Deutschland's energy management system was certified in accordance with DIN EN ISO 50001.

METRO and E.ON are continuing their cooperation with the new major project, which both companies started in 2013. Since then, METRO and E.ON have implemented several decentralized energy supply projects in Germany and Russia with CHPs in which the partners have significantly reduced CO emissions or made individual stores independent of the public grid by supplying their own energy. The aim of the cooperation is to set environmental standards for the climate-friendly operation of wholesale markets.