- Renewable energy use rises above internal targets in the 2025 financial year.
- Solar rollout and fleet interventions deliver major emissions and cost reductions.
- Retailer seeks new wheeling partners to scale clean energy access across its portfolio.
Shoprite Group has reached a major renewable energy milestone in South Africa with the completion of 100 solar installations across its operations, while actively pursuing additional electricity wheeling partnerships to further diversify its energy mix.
During the 2025 financial year, renewable sources accounted for 7.2 percent of the Group’s total electricity consumption, up from 6.5 percent in the previous financial year and exceeding internal targets. This translated into the consumption of 151 243 MWh of renewable energy and a reduction of 137 026 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Beyond its fixed site operations, Shoprite has also expanded the use of solar technology within its logistics fleet. A total of 1 397 refrigerated trailers have been fitted with solar panels, reducing diesel consumption by an average of 3.2 litres per trailer per day. This initiative has delivered an additional emissions reduction of approximately 6 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The retailer continues to explore electricity wheeling projects, a model that enables electricity to be traded between private parties using existing transmission infrastructure. These projects form part of Shoprite’s broader strategy to improve energy security, manage costs and strengthen operational resilience.
In 2024, Shoprite became one of the first companies to wheel renewable electricity through the City of Cape Town grid. It is currently wheeling power to eleven sites, including its Brackenfell home office, and is actively engaging potential partners to expand the programme.
According to Raghubir, the Group’s focus is on scaling these initiatives by increasing solar installations and broadening wheeling arrangements across supermarkets and distribution centres. Engagements with landlords and commercial partners are ongoing, particularly in shopping centres where rooftop ownership limits direct access to solar generation.
These combined interventions continue to position Shoprite as a leading corporate energy user advancing renewable energy adoption within South Africa’s retail and logistics sectors.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
