Tokmanni already has 23 solar power plants in use – and this number will increase – “We also want to make smart choices when it comes to energy”
Tokmanni Press release 11 October 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
One of the largest solar power plants in Finland is located on the roof of the Tokmanni's administrative and logistics centre in Mäntsälä. Photo: Tokmanni
The number of solar power plants on the roofs of Tokmanni stores has grown significantly this year. Renewable energy is now already being produced by 23 separate solar power plants, with a total of about 14,600 solar panels, installed on the roofs of Tokmanni stores across the country and the administrative and logistics centre in Mäntsälä. Based on the experience gained, it was a good decision to switch to solar energy.
Eighteen solar power plants have already been installed this year as a result of Tokmanni's target announced in spring, which stated that by the end of 2021 more than 30 Tokmanni stores will be using renewable energy produced by their own solar power plant. Solar power was already in use at five stores and at the Mäntsälä administration and logistics centre.
Tokmanni's solar power plants that are currently in use have a combined capacity of more than 4 MWp and an estimated annual output of more than 3.2 GWh, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of around 1,650 small apartments or approximately 16.49 million kilometres driven by an electric car¹). Once all the solar power plants in Tokmanni's current plan are in use, their combined output will be close to 6 MWp. It is estimated that the solar power plants will then generate close to 5.0 GWh of electricity annually, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of around 2,400 small apartments or approximately 24 million kilometres driven by an electric car¹). To date, the solar power plants on Tokmanni’s roofs of have produced 1,754 GWh²) of renewable energy. This corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of around 877 small apartments or approximately 8.77 million kilometres driven by an electric car¹).
The size of each solar power plant depends on the size of the store and demand. At the stores, most of the electricity is consumed by lighting, ventilation and cooling.
“A solar power plant produces on average about 10–15% of a store's total annual electricity consumption, and in Kalajoki, for example, it has generated as much as 24%. During the summer months, more than half of the electricity consumed by a Tokmanni store is generated by its own solar power plant,” says Harri Koponen, Store Network and Concept Director at Tokmanni.
Tokmanni's most significant, and also one of the largest solar power plants in Finland, is located on the roof of the chain's administrative and logistics centre, which is approximately 80,000 square metres in size and located in Mäntsälä. The solar power plant, commissioned just over a year ago, has as many as 3,000 solar panels, peak power of 825 kWp and an estimated annual output of about 677 MWh.
“The solar power plant generated approximately 14% of the administrative and logistics centre’s electricity between October 2018 and September 2019. For example, last June and July, the solar power plant generated nearly a third of the electricity consumed in the entire building,” Koponen says.
A solar power plant produces on average about 10–15% of a store's total annual electricity consumption. In Hollola, it has generated energy since August 2019. Photo: Solarigo
The goal is to install a solar power plant on the roof of every new Tokmanni
Tokmanni currently has 189 stores across Finland, and the company aims to expand its store network to over 200 stores.
Koponen says that the company is constantly exploring new opportunities for reducing energy consumption and using renewable energy. Efforts are being made to curb energy consumption, especially in those properties where Tokmanni is able to directly influence the energy solutions.
“We also want to make smart choices when it comes to energy. For example, the production profile of solar power plants is a perfect match for Tokmanni's electricity consumption profile, as stores consume the most electricity during the day. Modern technology solar power plants are also suitable for Finnish conditions, as they generate a good amount of electricity in practice from April to September,” he says.
In solar energy production, Tokmanni relies on its partner Solarigo, which invests in solar power plants and supplies them according to Tokmanni's needs.
“Our numerous stores are located in buildings that have ample space for installing solar panels on their roofs. Our aim is to install solar panels on the roof of every new store, if the structures of the building allow it,” Koponen says.
Main focus of climate strategy is on direct climate impacts of our own activities
Reduction of climate impacts is one of the most important areas of corporate responsibility at Tokmanni. The main focus of Tokmanni’s climate strategy is on the direct climate impacts of its operations. In other words, on the reduction of the energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions of its properties. The chain’s target is to achieve carbon neutrality regarding the emissions of its properties, air travel and leasing cars by 2030.
“We will achieve these targets by reducing energy consumption, improving energy efficiency, using renewable energy, and offsetting air travel emissions,” says Emilia Koski, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Tokmanni.
“This year we also submitted a report to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) for the first time and set science-based climate targets for which we are currently awaiting certification from the Science-Based Targets organization. We will refine our own climate targets once we have received this certification. In the supply chain, we joined the amfori BEPI programme in the summer, and we hope that this programme will help us get the factories in our risk countries more strongly involved in the joint efforts to combat climate change,” Koski says.
By investing in solar power Tokmanni is promoting the production of renewable energy, reducing CO₂ emissions and mitigating climate change in accordance with its principles of responsibility.
Tokmanni’s own solar power production is estimated to account for about 2.4% of the company’s total electricity consumption this year³). For 2020, the corresponding estimate is about 6%⁴).
Through the use of solar energy, Tokmanni has so far managed to reduce its CO₂ emissions by approximately 277,100 kgCO₂⁵). Once they are all completed, the solar power plants will reduce emissions by over 761,000 kgCO₂ annually⁶).
The following Tokmanni locations already have a solar power plant:
Tokmanni Jämsä, commissioned in September 2016
Tokmanni Savonlinna, commissioned in August 2017
Tokmanni Kalajoki, commissioned in June 2018
Tokmanni’s administrative and logistics centre, Mäntsälä, commissioned in August 2018
Tokmanni Kouvola Tornionmäki, commissioned in October 2018
Tokmanni Lielahti, car wash, commissioned in March 2019
Tokmanni Uusikaupunki, commissioned in June 2019
Tokmanni Masku, commissioned in June 2019
Tokmanni Turku Länsikeskus, car wash, commissioned in June 2019
Tokmanni Lieto, commissioned in July 2019
Tokmanni Nastola, commissioned in July 2019
Tokmanni Järvenpää, commissioned in July 2019
Tokmanni Iisalmi, commissioned in August 2019
Tokmanni Juva, commissioned in August 2019
Tokmanni Ilmajoki, commissioned in August 2019
Tokmanni Hollola, commissioned in August 2019
Tokmanni Forssa, commissioned in August 2019
Tokmanni Heinola, commissioned in September 2019
Tokmanni Parainen, commissioned in September 2019
Tokmanni Tammisaari, commissioned in September 2019
Tokmanni Mänttä, commissioned in September 2019
Tokmanni Hämeenkyrö, commissioned in September 2019
Tokmanni Loviisa, commissioned in October 2019
For instance, the following Tokmanni stores are planned to get a solar power plant by the end of 2021:
Tokmanni Orivesi (installed in 2019)
Tokmanni Vääksy (installed in 2019)
Tokmanni Raahe (installed in 2019)
Tokmanni Klaukkala
Tokmanni Tuusula
Tokmanni Lempäälä RealPark
Tokmanni Turku Länsikeskus
¹) The calculations use the figure of 2,000 kWh as the annual electricity consumption of an apartment and the figure of 20 kWh as the electricity consumption of an electric car for every 100 kilometres driven.
²) The 1,754 GWh electricity generated by Tokmanni’s solar power plants that are already in use is based on measured production data for the period September 2016–September 2019. Tokmanni introduced its first solar power plant at its Jämsä store in September 2016.
³) The share of own solar power production in Tokmanni's total electricity consumption has been calculated using estimates of Tokmanni's own solar power production and total electricity consumption in 2019.
⁴) The share of own solar power production in Tokmanni's total electricity consumption has been calculated using estimates of Tokmanni's own solar power production and total electricity consumption in 2020.
⁵) Tokmanni’s current emissions reduction of 277 100 kgCO₂ achieved with solar power is based on measured output data for the period of September 2016–September 2019. The calculations use the average CO₂ emissions factor for electricity generation in Finland (calculated as a five-year moving average), which is 158 kgCO₂/MWh. The value of the average emissions factor was updated on 20 May 2019.
⁶) The estimated emissions reduction is based on the estimated annual output of the planned solar power plants. The calculations use the average CO₂ emissions factor for electricity generation in Finland (calculated as a five-year moving average), which is 158 kgCO₂/MWh. The value of the average emissions factor was updated on 20 May 2019.
TOKMANNI
For further information, please contact:
Harri Koponen
Store Network and Concept Director
Tel. +358 20 728 6030
harri.koponen(at)tokmanni.fi
Emilia Koski
Head of Corporate Responsibility
Tel. +358 20 728 6529
emilia.koski(at)tokmanni.fi
Maarit Mikkonen
Head of IR and Communications
Tel. +358 40 562 2282
maarit.mikkonen(at)tokmanni.fi
Tokmanni is Finland’s leading discount retailer chain. Some 3,600 Tokmanni employees make customers’ everyday life and special occasions easier by offering a versatile and up-to-date assortment of Finnish and international brand-name products and other high-quality products at prices that are always affordable. With nearly 200 stores around Finland and an online store, Tokmanni is always close to its customers. Tokmanni’s revenue in 2018 amounted to EUR 870.4 million. Tokmanni shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
