Sainsbury’s has installed a wood pellet boiler in its new Alnwick store in Northumberland as part of its ongoing commitment to reduce its impact on the environment. The sophisticated biomass technology was introduced following an in depth feasibility study undertaken by NEWHeat – a One NorthEast funded initiative designed to encourage businesses to switch their heat energy supply to wood heat.

Sainsbury’s, which is continually looking at ways to build sustainable stores, has placed climate change high on its corporate responsibility agenda, and anticipates that the new pellet boiler at its Alnwick store will reduce carbon emissions by 32%.

David Penfold, Sainsbury’s Sustainability Manager, said: “The installation of the biomass boiler at our store in Alnwick is a first for Sainsbury’s and supports our commitment to continually reduce the impact we have on the environment wherever possible. This is a key element of our corporate responsibility strategy which aims to reduce our CO2 emissions by 25% by 2012.

“We were impressed with NEWHeat’s expert advice and guidance and worked very closely with them from the design of the boiler through to the installation.”

Sainsbury’s has a long history in tracking energy performance and installed one of the first intranet energy monitoring systems across all stores in 1994. Corporately, the organisation aims to reduce total carbon emissions by 25% by 2012.

Wood as a heat energy source is not only more than 90% carbon neutral, but has the potential to cut energy bills by half, with some wood pellet / chip boilers being able to pay for themselves within as little as two years. Increased use of wood heat will have multiple benefits for the region, both economically and environmentally, and poses no sustainability problems as the North East has an abundance of natural woodland, from which ample wood can be produced by harvesting the increment of natural growth. Increased levels of well-managed, sustainable forest management in turn has beneficial consequences to the levels of biodiversity in woodland habitats and can also create significant employment opportunities in rural areas.

Since its launch, NEWHeat - which guides organisations through the process of adopting wood heat as a renewable energy source - has seen a significant uptake in the service from a diverse range of businesses. So far the service has provided more than 160 businesses and social enterprises across the North East with free, impartial and detailed advice on a potential installation, with 14 of those progressing to the second ‘tendering’ stage of the NEWHeat support service, and the first boiler installations having already taken place.

Organisations with the potential to accommodate a wood chip boiler include SMEs such as hotels, schools, manufacturers, food services and factories, as well as large commercial and residential developments, all of which can also benefit from funding supplied by One NorthEast through the NEWHeat service to carry out a free feasibility study.

David Clubb continued: “It’s important for businesses not to feel like they are being forced into a corner on the issue of renewable energy and more that we’re here to offer free impartial advice about whether wood heat is an option for their company. NEWHeat is a unique opportunity for businesses in the North East to make a difference to both the environment and their bottom line, and we’re delighted with the response so far. However, we need more businesses to realise the impact switching to wood heat could make and to be aware that there is still time to make use of the initiative.”

Chris Maxwell, One NorthEast’s Bioenergy Specialist, said: “North East England has a growing reputation as a centre of excellence for innovation in renewable energy, and NEWHeat is a fantastic example of how this translates to businesses on the ground. I’m delighted that the project has made this strong start in supporting businesses to adopt wood fuel systems and look forward to seeing more firms get involved.”

Liz Smith, Assistant Regional Director CBI North East adds: “Innovations in new and renewable energy- including projects like this- are vital in tackling climate change. The North East has expertise in energy and environmental sectors and the challenges of climate change bring with them new opportunities. The wood heat project offers new opportunities for businesses in the North East to cut their energy costs, along with their carbon emissions."