Ikea Singapore harnesses the sun

On a drive to make renewable energy a part of everyday business, Ikea Singapore yesterday flipped the switch on two different solar projects.

Ikea Alexandra is the first commercial enterprise in Singapore to activate a large-scale solar cooling system, converting solar heat into air conditioning for its store and warehouse. The system reduces the store’s CO2 emissions by 428 metric tonnes a year – the equivalent of emissions released by 200 jetliner flights between Singapore and Sydney.

Across the city, Ikea Tampines has set up a solar-power system that pumps energy directly into the store to run lights and other electrical appliances. The 3700 PV (photovoltaic) solar panels on the rooftop will generate an estimated 1.3 million Kwh of renewable energy this year, which  is enough to power the equivalent of 283 four-room flats in Singapore.

Officiating at the switch-on were Ikea Southeast Asia sustainability and communication director Lars Svensson and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and Ministry of Health Dr Amy Khor.

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