Ingka Investments, the investment arm of Ingka Group, is adding 11 wind turbines with a total capacity of 62.5 MW to its Polish renewable energy portfolio.
The largest wind turbines in Poland, with a capacity of 5.5-5.7 MW each, have been installed at the wind farm in the municipality of Wysoka.
The wind farm will provide long-term access to renewable energy for IKEA Retail in Poland, as well as IKEA value chain partners in the country.
Ingka Investments acquired the ready-to-build wind farm from OX2 in June 2022. The investment consists of 11 Nordex N149 wind turbines with a capacity of 5.5-5.7 MW each. The total height of each of the windmills is almost 200 meters, with 125-meter towers and 72.5-meter-long blades.
“This is yet another step towards a renewable future. We look forward to our positive long-term impact on increasing the share of renewable energy in Poland and thus reducing the carbon footprint of Ingka Group in the coming years,” says Frederik de Jong, Head of Renewable Energy at Ingka Investments.
It is estimated that the Wysoka wind farm will produce 180 GWh of energy per year, which, together with Ingka Investments’ current renewable energy assets of 625 GWh per year, covers the demand for electricity for the equivalent of around 250,000 Polish households. In addition, IKEA Retail in Poland owns six wind farms, which generated over 386 GWh during fiscal year 2023. This means that even before the opening of the Wysoka farm, Ingka Group produced more renewable energy than it consumed in all units in Poland.
“Ingka Investments has a broad portfolio of investments in renewable energy assets worldwide, and we remain committed to Poland on a long-term basis,” says Ewa Teodorczyk, Country Manager at Ingka Investments in Poland.
Globally, Ingka Investments has 45 wind farms and 12 solar farms in operation across 16 countries. In total, this amounts to more than 5 TWh, which corresponds to the annual electricity consumption of more than 1.25 million European households.
As part of a EUR 7.5 billion initiative to support 100 percent renewable energy consumption across the value chain and beyond, Ingka Investments has invested and committed more than EUR 4 billion into renewable energy projects in wind and solar power. Out of the EUR 7.5 billion initiative, EUR 1 billion is committed to investments in innovation and transitional technologies, such as energy storage, hydrogen as an energy carrier, or grid infrastructure.
In other news, Ingka Group, the largest IKEA retailer, has announced it has joined a new global partnership with Partnership on AI (PAI), a leading international organization of 100+ partners, including companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Google, as well as nonprofit organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
PAI is focused on shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in a way that benefits people, communities, and the environment. As part of IKEA commitment to responsible innovation, the company’s involvement in the initiative will help ensure that AI is developed and applied ethically, aligning with their values of inclusiveness, sustainability, and care for people and the planet.
Through the partnership, IKEA will contribute to global conversations around the ethical use of AI, helping ensure that its development is aligned with human-centric values and societal needs. IKEA has already started this journey with key initiatives, such as implementing a robust digital ethics framework across the company, focusing on responsible automation that puts people first, and launching an AI and Data Literacy movement to educate its workforce.
As AI continues to disrupt industries and society alike, IKEA recognizes both the potential and responsibility that comes with this technological transformation. According to Parag Parekh, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) for IKEA Retail (Ingka Group), “Our participation in this partnership reflects our belief that AI has the potential to enhance our mission of creating a better everyday life for the many, while helping address some of the most pressing challenges facing society today, from climate change to resource management. This includes leveraging AI for good to drive positive, long-lasting change. We are committed to this journey for the long term.”
By joining this global network, IKEA is furthering its commitment to responsible innovation. Together with experts from various sectors, including think tanks, and philanthropic organizations, the company will work to develop practical guidance and solutions for the responsible use of AI.
Thus, the partnership’s mission aligns closely with IKEA goals of driving innovation that makes life at home better and more sustainable. As Francesco Marzoni, Chief Data & Analytics Officer (CDAO) points out, ‘’We are committed to leveraging AI to cut emissions, reduce waste, and drive a circular business model. This partnership ensures our innovations are aligned with ethical standards, making a lasting positive impact on people and society.’’
“Although these steps show our commitment to integrating ethical AI practices into our business, the company recognizes that there is more yet to be done,” Marzoni says.
