Decarbonising Tesco's Stores for a Net Zero Future

Client Overview: Tesco

Tesco is the largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, founded in 1919 and headquartered in Welwyn Garden City. The company offers a wide range of grocery and general merchandise products, serving millions of customers each week. With over 330,000 employees, Tesco is committed to delivering quality and innovation while driving its sustainability agenda​.

Challenge

As part of its commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2035, Tesco embarked on a mission to decarbonize its 565 stores across the UK. This initiative required significant upgrades to their Building Management Systems (BMS), the implementation of energy-efficient solutions, and the electrification of their heating systems. Tesco sought a partner capable of optimising their energy management through modern BMS technology, while collaborating with a mechanical contractor to upgrade their heating equipment.

Solution

Combined Services played a key role in Tesco’s decarbonisation efforts by:

• Building Management System (BMS) Upgrades: We modernised Tesco’s BMS infrastructure, enhancing control over lighting, refrigeration, and HVAC systems to reduce energy use. Our work included a comprehensive evaluation of existing systems, re-engineering software, and integrating heat pump controls. We aligned time switches with store hours and ensured compliance with the latest Tesco standards. This included recalibrating temperature sensors and reconfiguring remote access capabilities to match new mechanical installations.
• Electrification: Collaborating closely with Tesco’s mechanical contractor, we seamlessly integrated new electric heating systems into Tesco’s energy framework.

Results

To date, Combined Services has successfully upgraded 25 stores, achieving an average energy consumption reduction of 30% per store through our BMS solutions. This has not only contributed to immediate energy savings but has also supported Tesco’s long-term Net Zero strategy. Over the coming years, we will continue working alongside Tesco and their partners to deliver sustainable energy management across the remaining 810 stores.