EUROPEAN INDEPENDENT Purchasing Company, working alongside Subway, has brokered a new agreement through Business Energy Direct which will allow Subway franchisees to sign up to a deal with energy firm, Scottish Power, to provide 100% green electricity from their wind farms.
Since launching in 2014, over 870 Subway stores have signed up to the deal, which will save over 30,000 tonnes of carbon every year.
Alan Davidson, Head of Business Sales at ScottishPower explained: “ScottishPower Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy developers in the UK, with wind energy projects stretching from Cornwall to Caithness. Our innovative relationship with Subway is made possible because of our commitment to develop renewable energy, and we are delighted to see that hundreds of Subway stores across the UK have signed-up to the deal.”
The news comes as part of a renewed focus from the Subway brand to enhance its energy and sustainability credentials, as part of its broader overall CSR strategy.
On 22nd April 2015, the Subway brand opened an eco-store in Wrekin Retail Park near Wellington in Telford, Shropshire; the first of its kind for the brand. The innovative design of the building harnesses the energy of the sun through photo-voltaic panels and associated technology, removing the on-going costs of electricity.
Subway Development Agent for the Five Counties, James Fleck, says “We have been considering a location in the Wrekin Retail Park for quite some time and are thrilled to be a part of the ground-breaking Eco-Pod building. One of the most exciting elements for me is the unique air-flow system which keeps the building cool in summer and warm in winter, creating a wonderful place for our customers to sit, relax and enjoy their breakfast, lunch or dinner.”
The building was designed by architects, Emission Zero, to be a zero energy building and is the first Zero Energy Retail Building in the UK. Features include:
- A sustainable timber frame constructed using FSC-sourced timber
- Underfloor heating and cooling system, coupled with a passive ventilation system which allows the building to automatically naturally ventilate
- A roof mounted Photovoltaic array, which generates electricity for the store
