The leading group, especially, in store equipment but also very active in professional kitchen equipment and office supplies is taking a decisive step this year in its energy transition with the aim of becoming a positive energy company from 2024. A photovoltaic power plant, which will be operated by Albioma Solaire Réunion, will produce more than four times its electricity consumption. An example for tertiary SMEs still hesitant about the challenge of carbon neutrality.
“It is through example that we progress”, explains Paul Vincent, founder and co-director of HOLDI Groupe* with his son, Sébastien, aimed at SMEs in the tertiary sector who are still hesitant to take this route. “All businesses can do their part. And doing your part also means, for us, show that it is possible. " So, courant 2024, HOLDI Groupe will become a positive energy company with the entry into production on its 1,500 m2 roof of a photovoltaic power plant with a power of 250 kWp (kilowatt-peak, the unit of measurement for solar panels). Paul Vincent and his son, Sébastien, signed last December 5 with Hugues Le Roy, responsible for the development of Albioma Solaire Réunion, the agreement by which the company rents its roof to the solarist to operate a power plant with some 1,000 solar panels, whose annual electricity production capacity will be approximately 3 MWh/year, making the building more than largely positive in terms of energy.
The map of efficiency and safety
HOLDI Groupe preferred this solution to that of an independent proprietary power plant for which it would have had to assume the installation and management, jobs that are not his. Reselling the electricity produced to EDF to supply the general network, Albioma Solaire Réunion will pay back in the form of rent a percentage of the turnover generated by the photovoltaic plant. The solar plant will produce at least four times more electricity than the company currently consumes (600 kWh). The amount of rent collected will be significantly higher than the company's electricity bill. “Albioma is a leader in the production of renewable energies, with proven know-how. With this partnership, we play the card of efficiency and safety. Not only will we achieve our goal of carbon neutrality, but we will do it under advantageous conditions while preparing for the future”, underline Paul and Sébastien Vincent.
The electrification of vehicles
With this photovoltaic power plant, HOLDI Groupe will avoid the release into the atmosphere of 240 Teq CO2/year (the equivalent of the consumption of 110 Reunion households) and has the assurance that its energy balance will remain positive by integrating its future charging needs. Indeed, the group is gradually transitioning its fleet of vehicles to all-electric. This is already the case for the forklifts in its LOG 2000 logistics warehouse.. An approach in which he was a pioneer in 2010 by acquiring the first model of front electric forklift available in Reunion Island. (and, in the same era, HOLDI Groupe implemented one of the first VRV refrigeration air conditioning systems with variable refrigerant volume that is much less energy consuming than commonly installed split-system air conditioners). The replacement of trolleys running on diesel continued after the move from Cambaie to the ZAC 2000 du Port in 2014. It was then the turn of the three management vehicles, then a first commercial vehicle. The same will apply to the main delivery utility vehicle as soon as the batteries of this type of vehicle meet the autonomy needs.. A long-term approach that nourishes the group's eco-responsible trajectory.
*HOLDI Groupe brings together the Ekimag brands (store equipment and large professional kitchens), Full sky (office furnitures), Dalbe (creative hobbies) and LOG 2000 logistics services.
