Romanian retailer PENNY to make 300 stores greener by 2029 with BREEAM

By committing to the biggest ever BREEAM programme for a retailer in CEE, PENNY has established itself as an international sector leader in sustainability.

BREEAM has been developed by BRE for master-planning projects, infrastructure and buildings, to allow asset owners to recognise and reflect the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment. Two million businesses are now registered with BREEAM in 89 countries, with PENNY one of the top 15 companies* to use the initiative at a global level.

From now on, new stores in the PENNY network will be recertified in BREEAM every three years. Over the longer-term, the plan is to recertify some of the existing stores and major refurbishments on a three-year basis.

PENNY has already demonstrated its ability to improve the sustainability of its buildings. Earlier this year, its Otopeni store was awarded the most sustainable building in CEE at the BREEAM Awards, with its sustainability achievements including:

• In 2020, the store consumed 18% less energy than a standard PENNY store;
  On the roof, there are 120 photovoltaic panels, 55 solar tubes that bring natural and diffused light to the store, and around 1,000 sqm of grassy roof;
• Last year, the store produced 55,315 kWh through photovoltaic panels, which represented 21% of the total electricity consumed by it. Translated into environmental indicators, it avoids 74,549.25 kg of CO2 emissions;
• Its CO2 system (R744) was tested in the Otopeni store and uses a natural coolant, which is safer and has the lowest potential for global warming.

*This is defined as the companies with the highest number of BREEAM certified buildings and developments

Gael Temple, Head of Sales, BRE, said: “PENNY adopting the BREEAM standard is a major step forward for Romania, as well as Europe more widely. The value BREEAM delivers to customers is clear. Companies can make significant improvements in the environmental, social and economic sustainability of their buildings – something which is reflected in the achievements made by PENNY.

“Ultimately, we need large-scale action in the commercial buildings sector, and major businesses will help deliver this much-needed change. We look forward to working closely with PENNY in this regard over the coming years, as it further solidifies itself as a sustainability leader.”

Daniel Gross, CEO, PENNY Romania, added: “Our commitment to certify BREEAM across our chain of stores represents one of the most extensive sustainability initiatives, not only at a national level, but also at a European level. PENNY is taking on a much-needed pioneering role to respond to climate change, to which we all need to take firm and far-reaching action.”