East of England: the green Co-op powering a greener future

East of England Co-op’s newest food stores and refurbishments have led to significant improvements to the business’ energy usage as they ramp up their efforts to become even more sustainable. 

The regional retailer points to its ongoing refurbishment programme, where sustainability and energy efficiency have become central to the design. Every aspect, ranging from the type and model of equipment, lighting systems, and refrigerants used, to the potential for renewable energy integration and choice of surface finishes—plays a role in improving energy performance and reducing environmental impact. Early results of their branch grid energy consumption have shown a decrease of as much as 55%, highlighting the positive impact of their approach. 

All East of England Co-op’s new Food stores and refurbished Food stores are equipped with CO₂ refrigerant gas, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1, making it significantly more sustainable than traditional synthetic hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) refrigerants, which can have GWPs as high as 3,900.

In April, the retailer signed a landmark 10-year Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA) with RWE— the UK’s largest power generator and a global leader in renewable energy. This agreement ensures supply of renewable electricity from the London Array offshore wind farm in the outer Thames Estuary. The contract is now providing clean energy covering 32% of East of England Co-op’s current annual electricity demand—reducing CO₂e emissions by 2,000 tonnes. 

East of England Co-op have also expanded the use of solar energy to improve the sustainability of their sites. Solar panels have been installed on the roofs of seven of their Food stores across the region. Its Woodbridge Road Food store is also home to the retailer’s first-ever solar carports. The carports alone will bring the expected total capacity to 35,000kWhs (enough to power 13 UK average homes for a year).   

At East of England Co-op’s new Woodbridge Road Food store, the combination of the CPPA and onsite solar will supply a huge 55% of the branch’s projected energy needs, from clean, renewable sources. 

Head of sustainability for the East of England Co-op, Steven Fendley said: “Sustainability is at the heart of how we design and develop our Food stores. From the energy-efficient systems we install to the renewable energy we now source, we’re making tangible progress towards reducing our environmental impact. These improvements are not just good for the planet; they also help us build a more resilient and responsible business for the future.” 

The East of England Co-op is owned by its members and is driven by its commitment to supporting local communities. The retailer has donated over £1 million to good causes in East Anglia over the last three years.