Sainsbury’s and EDF open energy centres
Sainsbury’s has teamed up with EDF Energy to open energy centres in three stores as part of a trial to sell energy saving products.
The Home Energy Centres will sell solar panels, heat pumps, and other environmentally friendly technologies.
EDF Energy advisors will offer customers advice on reducing energy use and a free energy saving plan tailored to their own home. Customers will also be able to sign up to new gas or electricity tariffs, apply for grant funding for the renewable energy products in the store or join Sainsbury’s Energy Saving Challenge.
Sainsbury’s claims it is the first time these products have been available in UK supermarkets.
Energy saving products will be available nationwide with home delivery and installation services. Sainsbury’s says the energy centres will act as showrooms.
Adam Zeiderman, Sainsbury’s commercial manager, says: “There are lots of people who want to invest in renewable energy products but they don’t know how or where to start. By setting up our Home Energy Centres to complement the national order line, we believe we’re bringing green technology a step closer to everyone.”
EDF Energy says the initiative is designed to make information on energy efficiency easily accessible.
Sainsbury’s Home Energy Centres project is supported by the Energy Savings Trust.
The move comes as rival utilities companies British Gas and e.on launch initiatives to get face-to-face with customers.
British Gas announced it was returning to the high street with the British Gas Living Room and e.on announced it was taking to the road with its Winter Advice Bureau.
