Press release
Sainsbury's installs 69,500 solar panels
3 August 2012
Welcoming news that Sainsbury's has installed 69,500 new solar panels across 169 stores in the UK, becoming host to the largest solar array in Europe, Friends of the Earth Director of Policy and Campaigns Craig Bennett said:
"This major solar investment will make Sainsbury's a greener grocer and gives a significant boost to the UK's renewable energy sector.
"Firms across the UK are waking up to the business benefits of using clean British energy from the sun, wind and waves to reduce our reliance on increasingly expensive fossil fuels.
"It's little surprise that 85 per cent of the public want the Government to force the energy companies to use more renewable energy and less fossil fuels - if we do this and cut waste it will bring down bills in the long term and create new UK industries and jobs.
"The Government must do more to reap the UK's huge potential for renewable energy - their new Energy Bill must aim for a carbon-free electricity sector by 2030."
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. Friends of the Earth's Clean British Energy campaign, backed by Deborah Meaden, is urging the Government to listen to the public and transform our broken energy system by developing clean and affordable power from our wind, sun and water. For too long the Big Six energy companies have locked Britain into importing costly gas and coal - causing our fuel bills to rocket. Now 85% of the public would back new Government legislation to make power companies generate more of our electricity from home-grown renewable energy. This, and cutting energy waste, will stabilise fuel bills and create new jobs. To find out more and back the campaign, visit www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Aug 2012
