Ingka Investments Unveils 29 MW Solar Park In Poland

Ingka Investments, Ingka Group—the world's largest IKEA retailer's—investment arm, has formally opened its first solar park in Poland, an important milestone in its renewable energy journey. Situated in Recz, the recently commissioned solar park spans 28 hectares and boasts nearly 53,000 solar panels. With a capacity of almost 29 megawatts (MW), the plant is likely to produce around 30 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity per year, sufficient to power over 12,000 Polish homes.

This newest expansion of Ingka Group's roster of renewable energy sources not only solidifies it as a frontrunner among sustainable energy operators but also makes a vital contribution to its challenging climate ambitions. Ingka Group is committed to powering all its retail stores using 100% renewable electricity in fiscal year 2025 and ultimately supports the overall IKEA goal of reducing net emissions by 2050.

Addressing the inauguration, Ingka Investments Country Manager in Poland Ewa Teodorczyk stressed the need for diversifying renewable energy sources to achieve a more sustainable future. "The Recz solar park is another milestone in our long-term investment strategy in renewable energy sources and securing energy in Poland," she said. "By deepening our commitment to add solar technology, we strongly believe the diversity of renewable energy sources is key to the creation of a more sustainable future."

The Recz solar project was built with Enerparc, one of the Europe's leading developers of renewable energy projects. The partnership demonstrates Ingka Investments' strategic method for collaborating with veteran industry partners in order to step up its clean energy goals. The solar park also complements Ingka Group's large renewable energy operations in Poland, where it already operates seven wind farms with an aggregate capacity of 242 MW. The plants play a vital role in contributing to the energy independence and resilience of the group, generating clean energy that surpasses the needs of all IKEA stores, warehouses, distribution centers, and offices in the country.

In September 2024, Ingka Investments broadened its portfolio of renewable energy by commissioning a 62.5 MW wind farm at Wysoka, incorporating the latest technology wind turbines. With the acquisition of the Recz solar park, the combined renewable energy capacity of Ingka Group's operations in Poland is now enough to serve the yearly energy requirements of about 260,000 homes. This large-scale generation of green energy not only balances the company's operational carbon footprint but also contributes to Poland's overall shift towards a low-carbon economy.

The launch of the Recz solar park is timely when energy security and the shift towards sustainable energy systems are more crucial than ever. Through its significant investment in local renewable infrastructure, Ingka Group shows a clear commitment to helping make the Polish energy grid more resilient and sustainable. The project also contributes to national and European Union objectives for raising the proportion of renewables in the energy mix and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Ingka Group's investments in renewable energy are part of its broader sustainability strategy, which encompasses ambitious goals like reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions from its value chain by 50% by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Previously, the group launched its Net Zero Plan, outlining actions to lower carbon emissions from its operations, supply chain, and customer activities. Projects such as the Recz solar park highlight the focus on investments in clean energy at the heart of the company's overall decarbonization strategy.

As a participant in the Polish market since 2011, Ingka Investments has been instrumental in promoting the development of renewable energy in Poland. Its investments represent not only a business case but an ethic of environmental care and social responsibility. The Recz solar park, through its contribution to the energy supply of the area and climate protection, shows tangible expression of the long-term investments.

With a growing portfolio now encompassing wind and solar assets, Ingka Group remains a leader by example, proving that companies can develop sustainably while contributing to addressing some of humanity's greatest challenges. The opening of the Recz solar park is evidence of the company's unrelenting commitment to renewable energy as a pillar of its future growth and sustainability initiatives.