Bpost aims to install 12,000 m² of new solar panels on its buildings this year
Bpost wants to accelerate its commitment to sustainable energy by installing nine new solar panel parks at its distribution centres in Belgium. In total, the parcel company plans to install more than 12,000 m² of additional solar panels, resulting in an annual CO₂ reduction of 509 tonnes. The first of these new installations has already been completed in Ostend.
As part of its mission to become carbon neutral by 2050, Bpost continues to make efforts to make parcel logistics more sustainable. Already, 28% of parcels in our country are delivered emission-free – by bicycle or electric van. In this context, the origin of electricity is, of course, crucial.
Bpost’s objective is to generate as much of this electricity as possible itself in a sustainable way. That is why, in recent years, the company has already installed more than 70,000 square metres of solar panels on the roofs of 39 different buildings across the country, including post offices, distribution centres and sorting centres. Bpost intends to continue these efforts in the years ahead.
614 new solar panels in Ostend
This month, a brand-new solar panel park was installed on the roof of Bpost’s distribution centre in Ostend, from where 6,000 parcels are delivered emission-free every day by postal workers. The Ostend installation covers 2,300 square metres and includes 614 solar panels.
During sunny periods, production is high enough to charge five electric vans from 0 to 100% every hour. The charging capacity of the distribution centre has also been expanded to no fewer than 83 charging points for postal workers’ vehicles.
Eight additional installations
Over the next nine months, Bpost plans to add eight more solar panel parks. These will be installed at distribution centres in Ath, Brakel, Ypres, Knokke, Maldegem, Nivelles, Seraing and Tielt. In this way, Bpost expects to install more than 12,000 square metres of additional solar panels, resulting in an extra CO₂ reduction of 509 tonnes per year.
In addition to the energy it produces itself, the parcel company sourcesrenewable energy exclusively from external electricity suppliers.
Powering the largest electric fleet in the country
The electricity generated by the more than 80,000 square metres of solar panels that Bpost will have by the end of the year will largely support emission-free parcel and mail deliveries across the country. These already take place in 22cities and 109 postal codes using only electric vehicles or e-bikes. To make this possible, Bpost operates the largest electric fleet in the country, including 3,000electric vans and 3,000 electric bicycles.
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