Budget supermarket Aldi is investing £7.7 million in the deployment of solar panels across a further 90 stores.

The investment, which forms part of the company’s on-site renewable energy programme, will see the fourth largest supermarket install advanced 144 kWp solar systems across 41 stores before the end of 2025.

A further 49 stores will receive the technology next year.

Aldi said that the solar panels will generate an average of 100,000 kWh annually, with the move part of Aldi’s wider commitment to increasing its renewable energy usage on site and strengthening its energy resilience.

Any new stores planned as part of its store openings programme will also include the solar systems.

“By expanding the use of solar panels across our UK stores, we’re making practical, long-term changes to how we power our operations, which will help us generate more of our energy on site from renewable sources,” said Jonathan Neale, managing director, national real estate, Aldi UK. "By investing in our estate now, we’re strengthening the resilience of our operations and helping ensure we can keep delivering great value for customers across Britain in a more sustainable way.”

The move comes after Aldi converted more than 30 per cent of its owned HGV fleet to run on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) in September last year as part of its wider efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

The supermarket also uses chiller doors in stores, which it says cuts energy consumption by around 20 per cent per site.

In January, the German discounter unveiled plans for a major expansion across Britain in 2025, announcing a £650 million investment that includes opening nine new stores within London's M25 as part of a £55 million investment in the capital.

The supermarket chain aims to open approximately 30 new stores nationwide this year, with London locations including Wimbledon, Fulham Broadway, Caterham and Orpington.

The expansion forms part of Aldi's long-term ambition to open 100 additional stores in London, potentially creating around 3,500 new jobs.

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