Energy efficiency and the use of cleaner energy sources are key pillars of AB Vassilopoulos’s plan to gradually reduce its environmental footprint, as part of its commitment to cut its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030, with a view to reaching zero by 2050.
The company is implementing a comprehensive programme of initiatives across its stores, Distribution Centres and other network facilities, combining modern infrastructure, technology and renewable energy sources.
As part of this effort, AB is carrying out energy-saving projects, developing solar installations and using smart systems to monitor and manage consumption, with the aim of continually improving its energy performance. Through an annual sustainability investment programme of around €1m for energy-saving projects and new solar installations, AB is implementing a range of measures across its network. In 2025, the investments resulted in energy savings of 2,390 MWh and a reduction in emissions of 735 tonnes of CO₂e.
The use of solar energy is an important part of this effort. AB has a total of 16 solar installations at stores, the Home Shop Center in Renti, its head offices in Gerakas and its central warehouses in Oinofyta and Sindos, with a combined capacity of 1,578 kWp. Their expected annual output is approximately 2,367 MWh.
In Oinofyta and Sindos, the company has invested a total of €417,000 in two new solar parks, each with a capacity of 500 kWp, which will meet part of the energy needs of the two Distribution Centres. Each installation is expected to generate around 750,000 kWh a year, covering approximately 9% of annual consumption in Oinofyta and 16.6% in Sindos.
AB also uses IoT and AI technologies, along with centralised monitoring and management systems, to track the energy performance of its facilities and target measures to reduce consumption. This approach has helped reduce the specific energy consumption indicator by 28.3% between 2008 and 2025.
These initiatives form part of AB Vassilopoulos’ broader goal of gradually reducing the carbon footprint of its operations. By 2025, direct and indirect Category 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) had already fallen by 34.23% compared with 2018, with the next milestone being a 50% reduction by 2030 and a longer-term focus on climate neutrality by 2050.
This overall approach was also recognised at the Environmental Awards 2026, where the company received one Gold and two Bronze awards. Specifically, it won a Gold award in the Sustainable Business category for its strategic plan for the sustainable development and operation of its network, as well as Bronze awards in the Energy Efficiency and Green Energy categories for its design of smart energy management systems and its green transition plan for its Distribution Centres.
This progress reaffirms AB Vassilopoulos’ consistent commitment to integrating sustainability into the way it plans and develops its network operations, through choices that deliver a meaningful and measurable impact.