© Copyright NREP 2021 All rights reserved.
With an area of 60,000 m2 and capacity of 5 megawatts, the solar plant in Borås is the largest ever installed on a rooftop in the Nordic region. Behind the investment is real estate investor NREP through its logistics arm, Logicenters, and tenant Speed Group. Solkompaniet has been commissioned to erect the plant and installation of the solar cells has now begun. In addition to meeting the property’s electricity needs, it is estimated that the plant will contribute with 2.6 million kilowatt hours of solar electricity to the grid. The rooftop plant will be by far the largest in Sweden.
According to the Swedish Energy Agency’s statistics, only one solar plant with a capacity of more than 1 megawatt was built in Sweden in 2019. Said plant was built on the ground and has a capacity of 1.5 megawatts. A plant is now being developed which is more than three times this size – the largest rooftop solar plant in the Nordic region. In order to push the transition to renewable energy, Logicenters – the real estate investor NREP’s logistics branch – and its tenant Speed Group are using the rooftop of the 83,000 m2 logistics facility in Viared, outside Borås. It is estimated that the solar cells can produce 4 million kilowatt hours annually, which is equivalent to the annual electricity demand for 1,800 all-electric cars.
“The roofs of large logistics facilities are the ideal location for installing solar plants. Therefore, it feels important that, as developers and owners of logistics properties, we are at the forefront of solar electricity production on our rooftops. We have a number of ambitious sustainability goals, one of which is to operate all our properties using renewable energy. And the demand for solar electricity is high from both companies and individuals – something which we can now fulfill. This facility will meet the tenant’s electricity needs on an annual basis, contribute more renewable electricity to the grid for the inhabitants of Borås to use and can save the environment up to 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters at NREP.
During 2020, electricity prices have been 40 percent higher in central Sweden than in northern Sweden. It shows very clearly that we have a lack of transmission capacity and too little electricity generation south of the Dalälven river. This means that solar electricity, when it is developed on both roofs and in solar parks, can make an important contribution to the demand for electricity during the summer months in central and southern Sweden.
“The large solar plant will help to meet the increased electricity demand for electricity in southern Sweden with locally produced renewable electricity. An important contribution to the transition to a completely renewable electricity system”, says Johan Öhnell, chairman of Solkompaniet, which will build the plant during the autumn.
The energy tax – an obstacle to widespread solar production
There is great potential to produce solar energy in Sweden. At the same time, current energy taxes penalise those installing large solar plants. Companies generating solar power on their properties are taxed on the electricity they generate when a solar plant exceeds the power limit of 255 kilowatts. The government has recently proposed raising the limit to 500 kilowatts, but the Borås plant is ten times that size. The companies behind the solar plant in Borås have the capacity to contribute electricity from renewable energy sources – but are calling on the government to rethink and remove the limit altogether.
“NREP has a total of 2.5 million square metres of real estate in the Nordic region and is continuing to make climate investments such as solar cell installations on a number of rooftops. But the government has a heavy responsibility in expanding the financial incentives for this type of venture. An energy tax on self-generated solar electricity, used partly by the company itself and partly contributing renewable electricity to the electricity grid, is not the right way to go. We have a number of ambitious sustainability goals, one of which is to operate all our properties using renewable energy, but there must be an increased cooperation between various players in the community“, says Stefan Wallander, CEO of NREP in Sweden.
“Our major customers demand an action plan from Speed Group, in order to contribute to the goal of a maximum increase in global warning of 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement. The installation of the solar plant is our single greatest step towards meeting our customers’ high sustainability requirements,” says Mats Johnson, CEO of Speed Group.
Logicenters recently completed its modern cross-dock facility in Greve, just outside Copenhagen. It will now work together with tenant Bring in Denmark to install a 1,950 m² solar cell plant on the roof of the facility. It is estimated that the solar cells will generate around 300,000 KWh of power annually.
In early 2019, groundbreaking took place for Logicenters’ modern cross-dock facility at Ventrupparken 4, Greve, outside Copenhagen, and the almost 14,000 m² facility has recently been completed. As a further step in strengthening the property’s environmental profile, Logicenters is now working with the tenant Bring in Denmark to install solar cells on the roof. In total, the solar cells will cover a roof area of 1,950 m² and it is estimated that they will generate around 300,000 KWh of power annually.
“Climate investment is extremely important to us and we always strive to be at the forefront of developments in sustainability. That is why we are proud to now be installing a large solar cell plant on our property in Greve. We are also pleased that Bring in Denmark shares our ambitions for sustainability and we look forward to making this investment together,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Last year, Logicenters joined RE100 through NREP. RE100 is a global coalition committed to 100 % renewable energy. During the same period, energy audits were also conducted at several of Logicenters properties, with the results showing great potential for savings. By streamlining energy consumption at the properties, energy costs could be reduced by up to one third.
“Bring has ambitious environmental goals, working to be fossil-free in all our operations by 2025. Working with Logicenters to install Bring’s largest solar cell plant to date was therefore a natural progression for us. The facility will enable us to use direct solar power for our transport as we are also investing in electric vehicles for our distribution network,” says Jonas Olsson, facility manager at Bring in Denmark.
The solar cells on the building’s roof will have an electrical capacity of 354 KWp. The installation is being carried out by Better Energy and is scheduled for completion by the end of Q3 2020. Earlier this year, construction also began on the Nordic region’s largest rooftop solar cell plant at one of Logicenters’ logistics facilities just outside of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Logicenters has now, for the second year in a row, won first prize in the Real Estate Brand Award competition, which was announced at the end of last week. The competition ranks more than 1 000 brands within the European real estate industry. In the category “Nordic Developers Logistics”, the award for the strongest brand among developers of logistics properties went to Logicenters in first place.
The Real Estate Brand Awards was arranged for the twelfth year in succession this year. The participating brands compete in various industry-specific categories, with one category consisting of Nordic region brands. Among the Nordic brands in the segment “Nordic Developers Logistics”, Logicenters is ranked as the strongest brand among developers of logistics properties.
The value of all of the factors that companies are ranked by is totalled to a weighted index, the Brand Value. Logicenters achieved a Brand Value score of as high as 90.03, with 100 being the highest value.
“We are very happy to once again have won this award, which is an acknowledgement that all our hard and careful work has been noticed in international circles. Modern logistics properties that are developed with a great sustainability focus by a tight-knit and competent team is our recipe for success, and every one of us at Logicenters should take credit for this achievement. We would also like to thank the European Real Estate Brand Institute for the prestigious award,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The survey is largest of its type and is made up of a survey, in which more than 109 000 industry experts are asked about the more than 1 000 participating real estate brands.
For additional information regarding the award:
https://www.reb.institute/de/rankings2020/nordics/developers-logistsics/
Nordic region’s largest roof-top solar cell plant, both in terms of area and capacity Logicenters will now build on the logistics property leased by Speed Group in Viared, outside Borås. The new solar plant will encompass 60,000 m² and have a capacity of 5 MWp. The solar cells are estimated to be capable of producing 4 GWh of electricity a year, corresponding to the electricity consumption for 800 homes.
In 2018, Logicenters began work on expanding the already 38,000 m² property to a total of 83,000 m² on behalf of Speed Group, a logistics operator owned by Ratos. The logistics facility is one of the largest in the Nordic region and is strategically located along the Swedish national road 40, just six kilometres from Göteborg. Logicenters will now further develop the environmentally-rated facility by installing a solar cell plant on the roof of the property.
“We are very proud to be working with Speed Group to take a major step forward in the transition to green energy. Building for a sustainable future is at the heart of our sustainability work and this project will enable us to prove that our buildings can actually be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem. And despite the fact that the tax on solar energy currently penalises large solar plants, we cannot postpone major and important climate investments in the future,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The roof-top solar cell plant will have an electrical capacity of 5 MWp and a full area of 60,000 m². This will be the Nordic region’s largest roof-top solar cell plant, both in terms of area and capacity. The plant is scheduled for completion in 2020 and is expected to produce 4 GWh of electricity per year, which could supply around 800 standard homes with electricity for a full year.
“Ratos is convinced that there is a strong link between sustainability and long-term value creation. And we are now putting our money where our mouth is by working on the construction of a solar plant of this size. As recently stated, we do still maintain that taxing self-generated electricity which is used in-house is not the right way to go, but we cannot let this stop us from making the right choice in the long term,” says Christian Johansson Gebauer, Area Manager for Construction & Services at Ratos.
It is calculated that the new solar plant will produce 33 percent more electricity than is currently consumed by the property. Speed Group will use some of the electricity in its daily operations, but the surplus will be available to other users through the electricity grid.
“We are very pleased to have a solar cell plant of this calibre installed on the roof. This is the right way to go, both from a climate perspective and a market perspective, as we are finding that more and more customers want to work in properties powered by green electricity. The fact that a considerable amount of daily operations will be powered by self-generated green electricity from solar cells on our own roof is gratifying both for Speed Group, our customers and not least for the environment,” says Mats Johnson, CEO of Speed Group.
NREP Logicenters, a leading Nordic real estate investor and developer, and QHeat, a next-generation energy company, have completed their joint pilot project to build a deep geothermal well in Espoo, Finland. The pilot aims to provide a near zero-emission energy solution that can produce up to 40 times more heat energy than traditional ground heat.
NREP Logicenters and QHeat’s pilot project on a deep geothermal well has been completed at NREP Logicenters’ logistics property in Koskelonkuja, Espoo. The pilot is Finland’s first functional geothermal heating plant that can heat as well as cool large property complexes in a nearly emission-free manner.
The deep geothermal well, located on NREP Logicenters’ property, is approximately one kilometer deeper than a regular geothermal heat pump, which enables greater production of energy. The well, which was taken into use in January, is 1,300 meters deep and is estimated to produce more than 1,000 MWh of heat energy per year, which equals the heat consumption of approximately three apartment buildings. The well covers 60–80 percent of the 16,000 m2 logistic property’s heating. In addition, QHeat’s technology enables the property’s cooling during the summer.
“The heating of buildings represents approximately one fourth of the total energy consumption in Finland, and most of this energy is produced with fossil fuels. The only way we can reach our goal of using only renewable energy in our properties is to pilot and scale new solutions such as this one,” says Jani Nokkanen, CIO and partner at NREP.
The drilling of the deep geothermal well began at the end of July 2019, and the well’s heat production began in January 2020. The pilot is part of the Smart Otaniemi innovation ecosystem and received nearly half of its funding from Business Finland.
“We are excited to put into operation Finland’s first functional geothermal heating plant. We are grateful to Business Finland and NREP for funding this pilot. We believe that this technology has significant export potential as a solution to decrease emissions from heating and cooling,” says Miska Eriksson, QHeat’s CEO.
The energy production of NREP Logicenters’ deep geothermal well will be tested during spring and the company aims to utilize the technology also in its other properties.
“QHeat’s technology has great potential, as it enables emission-free geothermal heat also in densely built urban areas. We have already identified large projects in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area in which we would like to scale the technology,” Nokkanen continues.
Logicenters is now to expand its presence in Jönköping by developing a new logistics facility in Torsvik. The property is estimated to be 32,400 m2 in size. The development is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2020 and is expected to be completed in early 2021.
Having developed a number of logistics properties in Jönköping, Logicenters is continuing to strengthen its presence in the region. This 32,400 m2 logistics facility will be located on Möbelvägen in Torsvik. The property is to be built on speculation and must therefore be developed to suit both a single tenant as well as several different ones. The development is scheduled to begin in March and is expected to be completed in early 2021. As with Logicenters’ other new developments, the property will have a clear environmental profile and will be prepared for the installation of solar cells on the roof.
“This development will further strengthen our business offering and will enable us to meet customers who value rapid access to logistics properties, something that we notice is in increasing demand. We see tremendous potential in the area and are therefore very pleased to strengthen our presence in Torsvik. The region is one of the country’s most important logistics hubs,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Logicenters has been active in the Jönköping region for many years. The company’s tenants in the area include Babyshop, Bring and Kitron. The new development will take place on an attractive site in the area, near IKEA and Elgiganten, and directly adjacent to the property where Kitron is the tenant.
Logicenters and Qvana Invest are jointly developing another logistics facility at the Stigamo Logistics Park, Jönköping. The tenant will be a company within AD Sverige which is already leasing Logicenters’ neighbouring property and is now seeking to expand to another facility. Moving in to the 25,000 m² facility is scheduled for the end of 2020.
Logicenters is continuing to consolidate its presence at important logistics hubs. The company is now cooperating with Qvana Invest to once again develop a logistics property at the Stigamo Logistics Park, south of Jönköping. The new development will be a detached building measuring approximately 25,000 m². It will be constructed in connection with an already existing facility currently leased by AD Sweden at the Stigamo Logistics Park. A subsidiary of AD Sverige will become the tenant at the new property, thereby expanding its presence in the area, as Logicenters is doing.
“We are delighted with our continued successful collaboration with Qvana Invest and AD Sverige. Stigamo Logistics Park has an ideal strategic location for logistics and the selected site is among the best in the area with clear visibility from the passing E4 motorway. The building has been designed in accordance with our standard model for modern logistics facilities and we are also planning to be able to install solar panels on the roof in line with our focus on sustainability,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The new facility is strategically located on Norra Stigamovägen and is being built as per Logicenters’ standard specification adapted for modern logistics operations. The property is being prepared in line with Logicenters’ strong focus on sustainability, including the installation of solar cells on the roof.
“We are delighted that Qvana Invest and Logicenters are developing a new property in Stigamo because our previous good cooperation left us wanting more. Like us, Logicenters prioritises modern logistics properties with sustainable options such as solar cell plants. We hope that AD Sverige will thrive at its new property,” says Jonas Andersson of Qvana Invest.
“It is both pleasing and important that we will have access to additional storage space in Jönköping. Furthermore, the fact that this facility is being constructed in direct connection with our current central warehouse, and in an area where we are thriving, is something we are very positive about. Our previous experience of working with Logicenters and Qvana Invest has been outstanding and we look forward to expanding and moving into our new modern warehouse,” says Adam Källberg of AD Sverige AB.
Logicenters and Kilenkrysset are once again working on a collaboration. Together, the parties will develop a 120,000 m2 site in Staffanstorp outside Malmö. Logicenters has the opportunity to build on 60,000 m2 of the site and the initial plans are construct a modern 24,000 m2 logistics facility next year. There are not yet any confirmed tenants.
Following several joint real estate projects, including one in Bålsta earlier this year, Logicenters and Kilenkrysset have once again decided to work together. This time it is on the development of a 120,000 m2 site in Staffanstorp outside Malmö. Logicenters will take possession of the site in early 2020 and construction can take place on up to 60,000 m2 of the total site. In the initial phase of the project, Logicenters intends to develop a logistics facility with approximately 24,000 m2 of leasable space based on speculation. Construction is to start before summer 2020 and will be scheduled for completion in early 2021.
“One of Logicenters’ primary strengths is that we are able to offer modern logistics facilities at strategically the most important locations in the regions where we have a presence. This project in Staffanstorp, with its attractive location outside Malmö and close proximity to the Continent, is further proof of this. The land purchase in Staffanstorp is an important piece of the puzzle for us and it will be fun to work on the land development with Kilenkrysset with whom we have previously successfully worked on many occasions,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The site acquired is located at Västanvägen in Kronoslätt’s Logistics Park. With its proximity to Malmö and the Öresund region, the area’s geographical location is very attractive to many different types of companies. In the past, companies such as Bring Frigo, Kuehne + Nagel and Microsoft have chosen to establish themselves in the business park.
“Logicenters shares our vision of contributing to increased growth in the region, with access to smart logistics playing an important role. In August, Microsoft chose to buy from us in the same area and earlier this year we extended the lease with Alfa Laval for its head office. We are experiencing significant demand from companies wanting to establish themselves in the region so it is both gratifying and valuable to once again be entering into a partnership with Logicenters,” says Jan Persson, CEO at Kilenkrysset, who further believes that the good cooperation with Staffanstorp municipality is facilitating this positive development and space still available for smaller logistics establishments.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new logistics facility in Bålsta has now taken place. The property being built and owned in the long term by Logicenters will become environmentally certified. With an area of 104,000 m2, it will be one of Europe’s largest and most modern logistics facilities. Logicenters and Axfood’s purchasing and logistics company Dagab previously signed a contract for the development and leasing of a property scheduled to come into operation in 2023.
In July 2019, Logicenters and Dagab, Axfood’s purchasing and logistics company, signed an agreement to make Dagab a long-term tenant at the logistics property in Bålsta. Yesterday, on the 25th of November, construction began on the facility which will be one of Europe’s largest. The property will be environmentally certified in accordance with BREEAM-SE, including modern specifications such as temperature zones and a high degree of automation.
“I am delighted that the day has arrived for construction to commence on what will become one of Europe’s largest and most modern logistics facilities. This means that we are now expanding our property portfolio with the addition of a large, environmentally certified property in an excellent location. Receiving this confidence from a major tenant is something Logicenters values strongly and we are convinced that it will flourish here. We also want to take the opportunity to thank Axfood and Dagab for a very rewarding collaboration,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The property is being built at Håbo Lundby 2:8, just outside Bålsta, northwest of Stockholm. The site is strategically important for logistics, with its proximity to both the E18 motorway and Stockholm. The facility is scheduled to become operational in 2023.
In addition to representatives from Logicenters, Dagab and Axfood, also present at the ceremony were the mayor of Håbo municipality, Liselotte Grahn Elg, Agneta Hägglund, opposition councillor, and Tobias Arvidsson, head of local government at Håbo municipality.
“We are very happy that ground has now been broken for our highly automated logistics facility. The new logistics centre will enable us to meet tomorrow’s challenges and consumer needs, creating a flexible, efficient and sustainable logistics chain for both retail and e-commerce customers. We are looking forward to moving in,” says Nicholas Pettersson, CEO Dagab Purchasing & Logistics.
Logicenters is continuing to strengthen its portfolio in the Finnish market. In Kerava, just outside Helsinki, Logicenters is currently developing a logistics facility with a total area of 18,300 m2. A ten-year lease has been signed with tenant Dachser to lease an area of around 4600 m2. The property is scheduled for completion in 2020.
A leading developer, owner and manager of logistics facilities in the Nordic region, Logicenters is currently developing a property in Kerava, Finland. The 18,300 m2 property is located in the Kerca logistics zone, just outside Helsinki, and is scheduled for completion in the 3rd quarter of 2020. Construction company Lehto Tilat Oy is responsible for construction of the property. A ten-year lease has been signed with logistics company Dachser regarding a 4600 m2 area comprising a 4000 m2 cross-docking area and 600 m2 of offices.
Logicenters’ new facility is located in a strategically important area in the Helsinki region, in close proximity to the international airport and the E75 motorway. Its proximity to the Savio railway station also provides excellent options for commuting to Helsinki. In line with Logicenters’ ambition to improve energy efficiency at its properties, this logistics facility will be equipped with solar cells on the roof and will utilise geothermal heat.
“We are delighted that the development in Kerava has begun. The area is attractive due to its strategic location, excellent communications and competitive leasing levels. Consequently, it is gratifying that the municipality is investing in logistics. We have previously enjoyed a very good relationship with Dachser, which makes it very pleasing to be entering into this development with the company,” says Jarkko Äikää, Commercial Director at Logicenters in Finland.
“The modern terminal in Kerava, as well as proximity of the Vuosaari harbor and the main railway, provides an excellent logistical site for Dachser now and in the future. Furthermore, we are able to provide a multitude of services for Finnish export and import companies in the domestic market. The flexible collaboration with Logicenters and the City of Kerava enables us to continue our growth story, which began for our road transport business in 2014 in Finland,” says Tuomas Leimio, Managing Director, European Logistics Finland, DACHSER Finland Oy.
”In Kerava’s strategy, the City is strongly committed to helping businesses grow and thrive in the area. Logistics is one of the key industries in our modern economic environment. The new logistics facility will expand the Kerca logistics zone and will increase the attractiveness of Kerava for businesses as a whole. The facility will also create dozens of new jobs, which is absolutely fantastic,” says Kirsi Rontu, the Mayor of Kerava.
The new logistics facility has around 13,000 m2 still available for leasing by future tenants wishing to establish themselves in one of the best logistics zones in the Helsinki Metropolitan area. The facility has already raised interest among several industry organizations.
© Copyright NREP 2021 All rights reserved.