Walmart's Brazilian unit has said that around 85% of the energy it consumes is now supplied by renewable energy sources. However, the Brazilian retailer's goal is to be 100% supplied by renewable energy.
To meet this goal, Walmart Brasil has been active in the Free Energy Market, a competitive environment for electric power trading where participants can freely negotiate various trading conditions. The retailer is one of the three largest consumers on the Free Energy Market and will become the biggest by the end of 2017.
Electrical Efficiency
Walmart Brasil is also focusing on energy efficiency, as electricity is currently one of the highest expenses for retailers.
According to Alex Teixeira, utilities manager at Walmart Brasil, the retailer has already achieved a reduction in lighting consumption of around 7%, following investments in more efficient equipment and better management of consumption.
"Our job is to make each unit have its lowest consumption and energy expenditure possible," said Teixeira. "In order for us to have a lower cost for the customer, we have to lower our operating costs."
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
