IKEA Canada Announces Installation of Solar Panels on Alberta Stores

Projects re-affirm IKEA commitment to become 100 per cent circular and climate positive in its operations

BURLINGTON, ON, Aug. 23, 2018 /CNW/ - As part of its long-standing commitment to renewable energy, IKEA Canada announced today that solar panels are being installed on its stores in Edmonton and Calgary.

Both systems are currently being installed and are expected to be operational by end of year. At a capacity of 840 kilowatts (kW), the IKEA Edmonton system will be one of the largest commercial rooftop solar systems in the city, with 2,905 panels and expected production of 1180 megawatt hours (MWh), making it among the most productive systems owned by IKEA Canada. It will offset approximately 878 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. The 660kW IKEA Calgary system will have 2,240 panels and expected production of 1000 MWh, offsetting approximately 744 tonnes of C0₂ emissions per year.

"IKEA is committed to operating our business within the natural limits of the planet ? and to enable our customers to do the same," said Brendan Seale, Head of Sustainability for IKEA Canada. "These investments support our objectives to manage energy costs effectively, reduce our emissions, and achieve energy independence by 2020." Once operational, the solar installations will reduce the company's annual energy use in Alberta by approximately 25%. IKEA Canada partnered with Energy Efficiency Alberta to finance the two solar projects.

"Energy Efficiency Alberta's Residential and Commercial Solar Program offers incentives for homes, businesses and non-profits," said Monica Curtis, CEO of Energy Efficiency Alberta. "We're very pleased to support IKEA in Calgary and Edmonton by contributing 25 per cent of the total cost of the projects which will reduce C0₂ by over 40,000 tonnes over their lifetimes."

IKEA Canada partnered with RESCo Energy Inc. for the design, installation and maintenance of the solar systems.

Globally, the IKEA Group has committed to energy independence by 2020: to produce more renewable energy than the total energy consumed in all operations worldwide. IKEA Canada accomplished this milestone on a national basis in 2015, producing approximately four times the renewable energy that it uses in its daily operations through rooftop solar, wind, and geothermal energy sources. IKEA Canada's Oldman 2 and Wintering Hills wind farms in Alberta alone produce over 130 MW, enough to power approximately 86 IKEA stores or 41,000 homes. The retailer currently has solar panels on all five Ontario stores and its store in Halifax.

IKEA Canada has been named as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 10 consecutive years for its commitment to sustainability practices. IKEA Group recently announced its plans to phase out all single-use plastic from its home furnishing range and customer and co-worker restaurants by 2020. To learn more about all of IKEA's commitment to people and planet, visit: www.IKEA.ca/peopleplanet.

ABOUT IKEA CANADA:

IKEA Group is a leading home furnishing retailer with 357 stores in more than 29 countries worldwide, which are visited by 817 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 14 stores, an eCommerce virtual store, six Pick-up and order points and 17 Collection Points. Last year, IKEA Canada welcomed 28 million visitors to its stores and 95 million visitors to the IKEA.ca website. Founded in1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA Canada, please visit: www.IKEA.ca

SOURCE IKEA Canada