Ashden Award winner Geothermal International (GI) has entered into a partnership with Sainsbury's to roll out the first phase of an innovative energy solution to up to 100 Sainsbury’s stores around the country, tapping renewable energy from deep underground to provide energy efficient heating, hot water and cooling.

Both new-build and existing Sainsbury’s stores have been identified as part of this project, which will see the ground source heat pump business installing and operating pioneering geo-thermal heat pump technology.

GI CEO Brian Davidson says that long-term investment in renewable technology is vital to helping it grow:  “GI has been at the forefront of the renewable sector since it launched in 2000.  Not only is this long-term contract an important win for us, it will also enable Sainsbury’s to achieve energy efficiency benefits from day one as well as seeing a considerable improvement in its carbon footprint.”

Sainsbury’s has also entered into another scheme with energy supplier E.ON. Together, both schemes aim to deliver up to 100MW of renewable energy sources in supermarkets by the end of 2016.

Sarah Butler-Sloss, Ashden Founder Director says: “We are excited to see GI grow from strength to strength and develop this new relationship with Sainsbury’s, which will help further the growth of the renewable energy market in the UK.

"It’s very encouraging to see Sainsbury’s taking a leading role in sustainability, and demonstrating that it makes sound business sense to go green. I encourage others to follow suit.”

More than half the energy used in commercial and public sector buildings in the UK is for heating and cooling. Ground source heat pumps are a low-carbon technology that can provide both heating and cooling from a single installation by pumping renewable heat between the earth or water and the building.

GI installs ground source heat pumps across the UK, specialising in large commercial and public sector buildings. The firm provides a one-stop shop for the technology – from geological assessment of the site through to borehole drilling and ground loop and heat pump installation. Since its inception in 2000, GI has installed over 160MW of capacity in the UK.

Applications for the 2013 Ashden Awards are now open.