When the pilot project was launched in 2023 - equipping a supermarket in Novy Petrivtsy, near Kyiv, with solar panels - the company estimated the cost of 1 kW at five hryvnias. Under such conditions, the payback of the project was 4.5-5 years.
"Now, when we looked at the situation this year, the conclusions have changed. Electricity from the network has become more expensive up to 7-8 hryvnias. During major outages, shops worked on diesel generators, and the cost of 1 kW of electricity produced by them was 18-20 hryvnias. Under such conditions our solar stations will pay for themselves in 2.5 years," explains Deputy General Director of Novus, Dainius Tumenas.
In total, Novus has already invested more than UAH 70 million in the energy efficiency program. Another $15 million is needed to implement further plans.
"This year, we are finishing equipping our large logistics center and other stores with solar panels. Additionally, we launched a 3 MW project in 30 stores. Projects have already been prepared for the installation of SES, we are purchasing equipment. We also launched two more pilot projects at two large facilities - in the logistics center and a store on Zdolbunivska Street. This is the installation of gas generators. We are also looking for an alternative to equip two more facilities with storage devices this year," says Dainyus Tumenas.
In addition, supermarkets install BMS - a computer control system that controls and monitors the mechanical and electrical equipment of the building. The system helps to manage the building better and spend less on electricity.
"Additionally, we are installing storage devices, which will give us the opportunity to work out the gaps in switching from the network to a diesel generator, so that the store does not stop at all, and customers do not notice anything," says the deputy general director.
