A REWE site is now powered by solar energy: a photovoltaic system on the roof of the administration and logistics centre in Henstedt-Ulzburg has been supplying green energy since the beginning of July. Energie-Handels-Gesellschaft (EHA) is responsible for the planning and realisation of the project as well as the further technical and commercial operation of the system.

The solar panels with a module surface area of 6,480 square metres generate an output of 1,377 kWp (kilowatt peak, a measure of the output of a photovoltaic system), which corresponds to an annual electricity yield of 1.4 million kilowatt hours. This amount of energy is sufficient to cover around ten per cent of the site's requirements. In addition, two combined heat and power plants supply the REWE Region North headquarters with electricity, heating and cooling.
"Sustainability and renewable energies have long been important topics at REWE. We are therefore delighted to be taking a further step towards a sustainable future with the new solar plant and at the same time making an important contribution to climate protection," said Jochen Vogel, Chairman of the Management Board of REWE Nord, on the occasion of the commissioning.
EHA Managing Director Jan-Oliver Heidrich added: "The photovoltaic project in Henstedt-Ulzburg is impressive proof of REWE Group's solar power offensive and serves as a model for other companies."

Standardised system concept
Climate-friendly self-supply is another component of risk-minimised electricity procurement for REWE Group, which plans to install hundreds of photovoltaic systems on selected buildings in the coming years. The green electricity generated there is intended exclusively for the sites' own supply and protects against price risks in the interests of a diversified supply. EHA is responsible for the technical realisation of the large-scale project and the further operation of the systems.
The installations will be prioritised and installed on suitable roof areas at administrative locations, warehouses and stores. In the long term, all EHA customers within the Group will benefit from the project. This is because the proceeds from solar power generation will reduce EHA's energy procurement costs and make the green electricity needed to operate the stores cheaper for everyone.

Diversification as a strategy
EHA is pursuing a diversified supply strategy for the REWE Group. The electricity volumes are procured long-term on the wholesale market, short-term on the spot market and via Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Direct PV power generation is now being added on a large scale.
"The PV programme is a great example of cooperation between the business units in the REWE Group. REWE Expansion is responsible for drafting the contracts for our own properties and rental properties, the construction department is responsible for the building-side requirements of the programme in terms of building statics, and REWE Far East is supporting us in purchasing the solar panels in Asia," praised EHA Managing Director Jan-Oliver Heidrich. "The successful solar offensive is definitely a model for other companies."

State-of-the-art regional headquarters
The administration and logistics centre in Henstedt-Ulzburg near Hamburg, which opened in autumn 2022, is the Central locations of REWE Nord and is considered the most modern within the REWE Group: the regional centre covers around 104,000 square metres. The ground floor houses the logistics centre, which is characterised in particular by the full automation of its dry goods range. On the upper floor, the employees are spread over two floors. Around 1,000 parking spaces are available for employees and visitors, both in the car park and in the multi-storey car park. E-charging stations and bicycle parking spaces have also been included. The site has been awarded Gold certification from the DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council) for its sustainable architecture.