A CDS Superstores distribution centre serving its The Range, Wilko, Homebase and Bathstore stores has become one of the largest commercial and industrial solar installations in the UK.
The newly completed 2.5MW rooftop solar installation at its Avonmouth warehouse is now exporting surplus power into the wider energy network.
In the coming years, CDS plans to deploy up to 40MW of solar capacity across its UK retail and logistics estate, alongside increased electrification of its warehouse operations, material-handling equipment and vehicle fleet.
Once complete, the project – named Challenger 1 – is expected to rank among the largest commercial and industrial solar rollouts in the UK.
“Our distribution centres are central to our growth and wider retail ambitions,” said Alex Simpkin, chief executive of CDS Superstores.
The capital for investment for the project was unlocked from the refinancing of the company’s largest distribution centres. The refinancing, provided by Investec, covers CDS’s two flagship logistics assets in Avonmouth and Stowmarket, totalling 2.3 million sq ft of distribution capacity.
“The refinancing has enabled us to invest in capital projects including solar and energy optimisation at scale, cutting long-term costs, creating new revenue opportunities and contributing to the energy system as we work towards net zero,” Simpkin added.
The newly completed Avonmouth system was delivered in partnership with energy platform InRange, with which the retailer has worked with since 2024.
“Sites like Avonmouth can generate far more clean power than they consume,” said John Mushriqui, chief executive of InRange. “By connecting large warehouses into an energy network, we’re enabling surplus generation to be used by power-intensive users such as data centres, while helping asset owners reduce costs, create new revenue streams and support grid resilience.”
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