The Warehouse goes solar

The first 26 of The Warehouse Group’s stores and sites – including The Warehouse, Warehouse Stationery, Noel Leeming and Torpedo7 – across Northland, Auckland and Waikato – are now solar powered.

February 13 marks the group’s first step in its transition to solar, following the announcement of its agreement with Lodestone Energy, that will see more than 250 sites across New Zealand switch to solar energy plans by the end of 2026.

“Going solar has been an important ambition for us to achieve across our store network,” says The Warehouse Group’s chief executive Nick Grayston.

 “We challenge ourselves with something we call ‘The Tomorrow Test’ – which helps us take action to make improvements in both big and little ways, to be a more sustainable business.

“This is a significant milestone and we’re delighted to mark the occasion at our Kaitaia store, with the community that has helped make it happen,” says Grayston, adding the move will reduce Scope 2 emissions by at least 808 tonnes of CO2e annually – the equivalent of taking 175 passenger vehicles off the road yearly.

He says it also steers the group towards its goal of zero emissions in its operations by 2040.

To fuel its 26 sites and stores, The Warehouse Group have tapped into Lodestone’s new 64-hectare Kaitaia solar farm, where the group benefits from 25% of the solar power the farm generates.

Lodestone Energy managing director Gary Holden says to help celebrate the solar farm’s opening, The Warehouse Kaitaia is hosting a ‘Flick the Switch’ community event on February 13 where customers are entertained by a performance from a local group, summer treats and giveaways.