Helexia Portugal, a company specialized in designing, implementing, managing and investing in decarbonization projects, has strengthened its partnership with LEROY MERLIN by implementing a Solar Self-Consumption and Electric Mobility project at its Albufeira store.
Helexia has completed the installation of a 259 kWp photovoltaic plant, equipped with 480 solar panels that will produce 402MWh of clean energy per year, resulting in a reduction of 189 tons of CO2. This initiative reinforces the position of LEROY MERLIN in Albufeira as an energy-producing store, but it also represents a significant reduction in energy bill costs and less dependence on the electricity grid.
At the same time, Helexia has installed two charging stations for electric vehicles in the store, giving customers a more sustainable shopping experience and the chance to charge their vehicles. These are a 50 kW fast charger and a 22 kW dual charger, which together allow three electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously.
Both projects, from design to implementation and investment, were the responsibility of Helexia. As an investor, Helexia enables LEROY MERLIN to maintain strategic investments in its core business and enjoy a stable and competitive energy price throughout the term of the contract.
Through these projects, LEROY MERLIN achieves a significant reduction in energy costs, greater energy autonomy and also a reduction in its carbon footprint, reinforcing its position as a sustainable company. It also stands out from the competition by offering additional benefits to its visitors.
Helexia had already made similar investments in the LEROY MERLIN stores in Portimão and Loulé, both with solar self-consumption plants that were designed, implemented, operated and invested in by the decarbonization company. In total, with LEROY MERLIN, Helexia has 885 kWp of green energy in operation in the Algarve region, which allows it to produce 1,390 MWh of renewable energy per year and avoid the emission of 654 tons of CO2 per year.
"Due to its geographical location, the Algarve has a high potential for solar energy production when compared to other regions in Europe. As such, we intend to continue exploring opportunities in the region and capitalizing on its energy production potential, since in the Algarve region a photovoltaic production unit can produce around twice as much energy as the same unit would produce in European countries located further north, such as Germany, the Netherlands or the United Kingdom," says João Guerra, Marketing & Communication Director at Helexia.
Helexia and Leroy Merlin partnership
Regarding the partnership with LEROY MERLIN, João Guerra concludes : "When two companies that share the same values come together, exceptional projects can be created. This partnership has had a very positive impact for LEROY MERLIN, not only in the production of renewable energy, but also in energy efficiency, optimization and savings. We will continue to work hand in hand with LEROY MERLIN to achieve carbon neutrality."
For João Lavos, Positive Impact Challenge Leader at LEROY MERLIN Portugal, "There are partners who are true allies in our mission and Helexia is one of them. Since day one, we have joined forces in favor of energy efficiency and carbon neutrality and it is with great enthusiasm that we take another step towards achieving this. We work every day to achieve the Positive Environmental Impact that we promote and the change is already being felt, with yet another project giving shape to that will. The indicators are positive, but we still have a long way to go. Fortunately, we're committed to doing it together".