Essers
H. Essers Group puts solar power systems on 220,000 m² of roof surface
CO2 emission reduction equivalent to 3 million truck kilometres per year
Genk, 22 September 2010 – The H. Essers Group (Essers), Belgium’s largest family-owned logistics and transport business, has constructed solar photovoltaic (PV) installations with a total capacity of 4.6 MWp (mega watt peak) on 3 different sites in Flanders in partnership with Enfinity, an international developer of renewable energy projects. “We selected Enfinity to deliver these projects because of its proven expertise, references and speed of execution”, says Ivo Marechal, Essers CEO.
Megawatt production
The solar power systems will be located at the Genk, Tessenderlo and Wilrijk sites. Annually they will generate approximately 4MWh (mega watt hours) of electricity, equal to the power consumption of 1,157 families. Essers will be able to generate up to 30% of its own energy consumption. The energy will be used entirely for warehouse lighting and re-charging fork-lift truck batteries. The installations are part of Essers progress towards decentralised energy production and consumption, which will eventually lead to cheaper and more stable energy rates.
“The solar power systems will enable Essers to reduce its annual CO2 emissions by 3,075 tons, the equivalent of 3 million truck kilometres per year”, says Christophe Vanopbroeke, Head of Develop at Enfinity Belgium.
Essers takes on green responsibility
Essers’ decision to produce green energy complements its broader view on sustainability, with its critical focus on improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. Ivo Marechal says “In our position as market leader we gladly take responsibility for reducing our ecological footprint and thus make a positive contribution to the European climate objectives.
Essers sees more solar power in its future
The installed solar power systems are just the first phase in Essers’ strategy to power all its sites with solar energy. In the short term, Enfinity will construct additional PV systems at the Genk, Lommel, Tessenderlo and Zemst sites, which will account for a total capacity of 4.4 MWp, equivalent to the energy consumption of 1,250 families.
About H. ESSERS GROUP
Established in Belgium in 1928, the family business of H. Essers Group offers its customers personalised and integrated transport and logistics solutions throughout Europe, by road and rail. The company delivers a complete range of in-bound and out-bound solutions based on internally developed IT systems. With over 850,000 m² of warehouses, 1,050 trucks and 2,500 employees across 26 establishments in 13 European countries, H. Essers Group has evolved into a leading enterprise in the logistics sector.
Essers – leading environmental stewardship practices:
- Reducing the number of freight kilometres by using intermodal transport, increasing load factors and optimal routing
- The remaining kilometres gradually become greener by utilising newer vehicles and training drivers in Behaviour-Based Safety
- Weekly monitoring of the vehicles’ fuel consumption
- Purchase of Euro 5 trucks
- The company is also active in the field of environmental protection outside the transport sector, through energy savings and recycling efforts
- All environmental protection measures are implemented after full consultation with, and support from, Essers’ management team.
About ENFINITY
Founded in 2005, Enfinity has rapidly grown into one of the world’s largest and most experienced renewable energy development companies, with operations across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. Through its 5 business units – Develop, Invest, Technics, Trade and Power – Enfinity develops, finances, sells, installs and operates photovoltaic solar power systems. The company’s breadth and depth of experience ensures it can deliver even the most complex renewable energy projects around the world.
Highlights of Enfinity’s global market position:
- Belgian market leader in solar energy systems
- Among top 10 European renewable energy companies and a global leader in the development of solar and wind installations
- 2009 turnover of 252 million euro
- Solid funding foundation
- Proven experience in global installations, 200 MW installed worldwide.