© Copyright NREP 2023 All rights reserved.
To inspire and encourage energy saving, a number of large players in the property sector are working together on a joint campaign ahead of winter.
Effective energy use and operational optimisation are nothing new in the property industry. In fact, the sector has actively worked on the issue for many years. Considering this winter’s energy situation, efforts to reduce energy consumption are particularly relevant. The Swedish property companies Castellum, Catena, Corem, Mileway, Logicenters and SLP have established a joint campaign to reduce energy usage under the hashtag #HusFörHus (houses for houses). The aim of the campaign is to contribute to reducing energy consumption by working together, sharing knowledge and inspiring as many as possible to do what they can to save energy.
Follow the campaign through social media by using the hashtag #HusFörHus. The participating companies are happy for more property companies to join the campaign, as well as customers and other partners.
A 2,400 m2 solar plant is now ready for commissioning at a logistics property in Rosersberg outside Stockholm. Logicenters, the logistics property company, and Soltech Energy’s subsidiary, Soltech Energy Solutions, are behind the solar investment at the property, where Dustin is a tenant. The property will also be certified according to BREEAM.
At Logicenters’ property in Rosersberg, north of Stockholm, Soltech Energy Solutions has now built and installed a solar plant on an area of 2,400 m2. Soltech Energy Solutions has extensive experience of green energy solutions and large-scale solar energy facilities. The facility will now be commissioned and will then generate large quantities of green electricity for the tenant Dustin.
“It’s great that this project with Soltech Energy Solutions and Dustin has now been completed. It’s our first pilot project to certifying a completed building in accordance with BREEAM, and it is an important piece of the puzzle in our transition to a green future. By the end of 2021, we will have gone from one certified property to having certified up to 25 properties. In line with our ambitious sustainability goals, we aim to offset all our emissions by 2023 in accordance with our net zero target. Our ambition is also to switch to 100 percent green electricity by 2025, so this solar plant will be an important step towards achieving our sustainability goals,” says Karin Sjövall, Head of Sustainability at Logicenters.
“It is great that we now can commission this solar plant for Dustin. Not least because we have been able to carry out this project with Logicenters, an exciting company with high sustainability goals. The fact that it is actively investing in solar energy solutions on its properties is evidenced by this installation and we would like to thank Logicenters for its excellent collaboration,” says Markus Duseus, regional manager at Soltech Energy Solutions.
Solar energy key to the logistics industry
Via NREP, Logicenters has become affiliated with RE100, a global coalition of companies committed to 100% renewable energy. As part of this affiliation, Logicenters has undertaken to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity throughout its properties by 2025. BREEAM certifications* and energy efficiency improvements to the existing building stock are some of the measures being taken to achieve this but, above all, one focus area is solar energy.
– We are constantly working to make the warehouse even more climate-smart. This is an important step towards our sustainability goal of having zero climate impact in the value chain by 2030. In this way, we contribute to the production of new green electricity. We work dedicatedly to reduce emissions in the areas where we can influence in our value chain, says Henrik Lampa, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Dustin.
* BREEAM-SE is used to certify newly constructed buildings and the environmental performance of the building is assessed in a number of different areas. For example, the building’s energy consumption, indoor climate, water management and waste management are assessed and scored. The certification imposes strict requirements, creating a property that contributes significantly to a better environment, while also representing a better investment. With a BREEAM-SE certification, a property can be compared on an international market and both international and Swedish investors believe that this gives a higher value.
Logicenters is now expanding its presence outside the Nordic region with its first venture in Poland. As a leading logistics property company in the Nordic region, Logicenters is now looking to bring its successful concept to one of Europe’s largest logistics markets, focusing strongly on the long term, quality, flexibility, and sustainability.
Logicenters is continuing its expansion. The logistics facility operator is now expanding its successful logistics concept into Europe, with Poland its first target market outside the Nordic region. Poland is the fifth largest logistics property market in Europe and is also one of the fastest growing markets on the continent. In 2019, a total of 2.7 million m2 of logistics space was developed in the country. In comparison, around 650,000 m2 of logistics space was developed in Sweden – the largest market in the Nordic region – during the same period. From a geographical perspective, Poland is also ideal with good communications throughout the country, to the Nordic region and the rest of Europe.
As a first step, Logicenters has acquired the Polish company BIK SA and its current portfolio, which includes four existing properties with two potential extensions, as well as a plot of land – with the total logistics space estimated to be more than 115,000 m2. The facilities are located in the cities of Wroclaw and Katowice in southern Poland. With its high population density and large clusters of factories, the region is a strategically important location for logistics.
“We have developed our Nordic portfolio exponentially in recent years and our ambition is to continue to strengthen our presence here. But we also see Poland as a natural step forward in Logicenters’ development. This is partly because the Polish logistics market is still in its infancy and we believe there is enormous potential for us to assist in developing the logistics facilities of tomorrow in the country, and partly because many of our existing tenants already have operations in Poland. Naturally, we want to continue to support them by growing in line with their operations in both the Nordic region and Poland, something which is entirely in line with how we operate”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, CEO, Logicenters.
Focus on sustainability
Compared with many other parts of the world, the Nordic logistics market is ahead of the pack when it comes to sustainable logistics. Therefore, as it moves into the European market, Logicenters sees it as a natural step to bring its Nordic sustainability agenda along with it. And as always, the facilities will also meet high sustainability and energy efficiency requirements in Poland.
“We want to be able to develop the properties of tomorrow in such a way that they remain of a high quality for many years to come. Key to this is the development of sustainable facilities that are not only durable, sustainable and energy efficient, but also cost effective over time. We are already experiencing a high demand for more sustainable logistics, with many of our tenants requiring that the properties in which they operate meet high sustainability standards. And just as we have been leading the way towards a more sustainable transition in the Nordic logistics industry, we will also be sure to pave the way for more sustainable logistics in Poland. This is something we are convinced will benefit both business and the environment”, concludes Matthias Kettelhoit, CEO, Logicenters.
Logicenters is expanding its cooperation with Axfood’s purchasing and logistics company Dagab. The parties have signed an agreement for the development and leasing of a logistics facility in Landskrona, Skåne. The 37,500 m2 facility is scheduled to be ready for Dagab to move into by the end of 2022.
Logicenters is continuing to expand its presence in the Öresund region. The logistics property company has now acquired a 96,000 m2 site, just west of the highway intersection Landskrona Södra, from the city of Landskrona. It has simultaneously signed an agreement with Dagab, Axfood Group’s purchasing and logistics company, for the development and leasing of a 37,500 m2 logistics facility to be built on the newly acquired site. This facility will become Dagab’s new national fruit and vegetable warehouse and is scheduled to be ready for occupation in the final quarter of 2022. The facility will be the second developed by Logicenters for Dagab. The first is a more than 100,000 m2 logistics facility in Bålsta which is now under development.
The new facility is located at Örja 1:23. The area is a well-established logistics hub in southern Sweden, in close proximity to the E6 and E20 motorways. This will be Logicenters’ third investment in Landskrona in just a short period of time. The company’s other tenants here include Sunclass Airlines ApS, Nagel-Group and NA-KD. Including the development of Dagab’s new warehouse, Logicenters will own almost 85,000 m2 of logistics space in Landskrona.
“Logistics is and will continue to be an important piece of the puzzle in tomorrow’s society. So, as a logistics developer, we always want to offer our tenants modern and sustainable logistics facilities in the best and most strategic locations. That is why I’m delighted to once again be working with both Dagab and the city of Landskrona, two parties with whom we already have very good relations”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
In line with Logicenters’ ambitious sustainability strategy, the development of the facility will focus on sustainability. As well as the option of installing solar panels on the roof, the property will also be environmentally certified in accordance with BREEAM Very Good.
“I would like to thank Logicenters for excellent cooperation once again. The continuing construction of our new logistics centre in Bålsta has been a fantastic collaboration, and this has been a contributing factor in our decision to work with Logicenters once again. Our investment in Landskrona is another step in Dagab’s long-term strategy to develop the complete flow of goods within the Axfood Group”, says Nicholas Pettersson, CEO of Dagab.
“We welcome Dagab and its employees to Landskrona. Almost 3,000 new jobs have been created in Landskrona since 2010. Dagab will become a major and important employer in Landskrona, a positive factor for both the city and the people of Landskrona, and will contribute to increased employment“, says Torkild Strandberg (L), mayor of the city of Landskrona.
Logicenters has announced the signing of a lease with Finnish pharmacy chain Yliopiston Apteekki in Kerava, Finland. The lease is for a logistics facility with a total area of 7,450 m2 and the tenant is expected to begin moving in during the spring of 2021.
Finland’s largest pharmacy chain, Yliopiston Apteekki, will now move into Logicenters’ facility in Kerava. This follows the signing of a lease agreement for part of Logicenters’ new facility at Karhuntassuntie 3. Yliopiston Apteekki, which will commence the process of moving in during the spring of 2021, will lease a total of 7,450 m2, of which 7,200 m2 is warehouse space and the remaining 250 m2 offices. Bufab and Dachser are already tenants in the facility and with Yliopiston Apteekkis moving in, this means that the entire property will be fully let.
“We are extremely pleased to welcome such a reputable and established company as Yliopiston Apteekki to its new facility in Kerava. Our goal is to always be able to meet the specific needs of our tenants, both before and after they move in, which we have naturally made sure to do this time as well”, says Jarkko Äikää, Commercial Manager at Logicenters.
The logistics facility will play a part in strengthening Logicenters’ portfolio in the Finnish market. The facility is strategically located in the region, close to both the international airport and the E75 motorway.
“Our e-commerce ya.fi has grown strongly and we are very committed to serve our customers in fast, flexible and efficient way. We did an extensive search of suitable locations for our new logistics facility and providors that meet our needs and sustainability targets. We are therefore looking forward to cooperating with Logicenters and are also looking forward to moving into our new premises”, says Kimmo Virtanen, CEO of Yliopiston Apteekki.
Logistics property company Logicenters is expanding its presence at Vestby logistics park through both acquisitions and new developments. Over the next few years, Logicenters expects to increase its property holdings to more than 140,000 m2 in the area, which will become an important logistics hub in Norway. The company has also recently signed agreements with several tenants at the park.
Logicenters is significantly expanding its presence at Vestby logistics park in the Oslo region. In the last year the company has acquired two sites, 100,000 m2 at Toveien 21 and 27,500 m2 at Stormåsan 42. A total of 87,500 m2 of property is currently under development in the mentioned sites. In addition, Logicenters is also in the final stages of developing a 12,000 m2 facility at Torvuttaket 22.
Logicenters’ tenants in Vestby include Prime Cargo, Barnas Hus and HeltHjem Nethandel AS. The latter is one of Norway’s fastest growing companies within packaging and online trade distribution and will lease part of Logicenters’ property at Torvuttaket 26 from June 2021. A lease has also been signed with an international freight company at Toveien 21.
“We are very confident that Vestby will become an even more important hub for imports, exports and e-commerce in Norway in the future. The area’s close proximity to the E6 motorway and its transport links as well as ports in Moss and Gothenburg are just some of the reasons why more and more companies will choose to establish a base here. And with HeltHjem Nethandel soon moving in, we also believe that there will be opportunities for increased synergies with other e-commerce companies who choose Vestby”, says Ruben Krantz, Commercial Manager at Logicenters.
As one of the industry’s leading developers and the owner of modern logistics properties, Logicenters has great ambitions to bring about a sustainable transformation of the industry. As well as the option of installing solar panels on the roof, Logicenters has also decided to environmentally certify the new facilities in Vestby in accordance with BREEAM Very Good.
“We are striving to be a leader in the industry when it comes to the environment and sustainability. In collaboration with NREP, we continuously review the opportunities for working towards more sustainable construction while future-proofing our properties with renewable energy. It is also gratifying to see that our tenants share our sustainability ambitions”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Logicenters is also currently in talks with several companies regarding the leasing of the remaining logistics spaces currently under development.
Logicenters is in the process of expanding one of its logistics facilities at the Brunna Logistics Park, north of Stockholm. The expansion involves an extension of 18,900 m2, with the new section scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2022.
Logicenters is continuing to establish and consolidate its presence at strategic logistics hubs. The logistics property company is now ramping up development by expanding one of its facilities at Brunna Logistics Park, where it has had a presence since 2017. Logicenters’ tenants at the logistics park include Ingram, Zalando, Systembolaget, Bythjul.com and Autoglas. The expansion is taking place at one of Logicenters’ modern facilities in Brunna and involves an extension in area of approximately 18,900 m2. The work is scheduled for completion by the spring of 2022.
“We are delighted to once again be expanding our presence in Brunna. This area is ideal for logistics operations, which is why we are now expanding our presence in the park. Our flexible working model allows us to support existing and future tenants with varying needs, for example through these types of speculative expansions. In addition to this expansion, we are also planning to develop another property totalling 30,000 m2 in the park soon”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Brunna Logistics Park is strategically located north of Stockholm and offers geographical advantages with a well-developed infrastructure of roads, railways and airports. This expansion is enabling Logicenters to further strengthen its presence in the area, and it will have close to 90,000 m2 of logistics space upon completion.
With the ambition to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity in its operations before 2025, Logicenters is now ramping up its efforts by installing solar panels on six more of its facilities. This means that Logicenters will be doubling the number of solar plants compared to today. It is estimated that the solar panels will generate a total of 9 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.
Logicenters has recently signed an agreement to install solar plants at six of its facilities across the Nordic region. Logicenters currently has solar plants on seven of its properties. With the installations now being carried out, Logicenters will be doubling the number of solar plants installed on its facilities. It is estimated that the solar cells will have a total capacity of up to 10,000 kWp and will produce 9 gigawatt hours of electricity on an annual basis. This is equivalent to the energy required to supply 1,800 homes with electricity for an entire year.
For example, Logicenters and its tenant Speed Group are currently installing the Nordic region’s largest rooftop solar plant in Borås, Sweden. At this property alone, the solar cells cover a roof area of 60,000 m2 and have a capacity of 5,000 kWp.
“We are very pleased to be managing this sustainable transition in the logistics industry. It is of the utmost priority to us that we reduce our climate footprint as much as possible while simultaneously securing the future energy needs of our tenants. By installing solar cells on our roofs, we can also utilise very large areas not normally in use, instead of taking up land that may be better suited for other things”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
As the leading developer and owner of modern logistics facilities in the Nordic region, Logicenters also wants to manage the transition to renewable energy within the logistics industry. Through NREP, Logicenters has become affiliated with RE100, a global coalition of companies committed to renewable energy. Consequently, Logicenters is undertaking to switch to using 100 percent renewable electricity throughout the company’s property portfolio before 2025.
“Solar cells are just one part of our comprehensive sustainability work. We are also maintaining an ongoing dialogue with our tenants regarding the implementation of energy efficiency measures that will also mean significant potential savings for them,” says Karin Sjövall, Head of Sustainability at Logicenters.
Europe’s largest food logistics company, Nagel-Group, will now move into Logicenters’ facility in Landskrona, Skåne. The parties have signed a 15-year lease for a 12,000 m2 area in Logicenters’ existing property. Nagel-Group’s move is expected to take place during the latter part of this summer.
2020 saw the completion of Logicenters’ Kronan 1 modern logistics facility on Örjaleden at the Kronan Logistics Park in Landskrona, Sweden. The logistics property company has now signed a lease with German food logistics company Nagel-Group for approximately 12,000 m2 of the property, which has a total area of around 24,000 m2. Since its completion, Sunclass Airlines ApS has occupied the other part of the property.
“We would like to warmly welcome Nagel-Group to our modern property in Landskrona. We are confident that the facility’s strategic location is perfect for its operations, with good communication links to the whole of southern Sweden and northern Europe. I would like to thank both Nagel-Group and the municipality for their great collaboration and look forward to a long-term partnership with both of them,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Before Nagel-Group takes up residence, scheduled to take place in the beginning of September, the logistics facility will be further equipped to meet the company’s needs. Among other things, Logicenters will add additional gates to the property, an extra truck yard and supply areas for refrigerated and frozen goods. There will also be an option to install solar cells on the roof, something which is in line with Logicenters’ ambitious sustainability goals.
“We are looking forward to moving into our new logistics facility, which will strengthen our presence in northern Europe. I would like to thank Logicenters for its excellent collaboration, throughout which it has taken great care to meet and exceed our demanding logistical requirements,” says Hans-Joachim Brockmeyer, Managing Director Nagel Nordics.
“We welcome Nagel-Group to Landskrona. This is further proof of the advantages offered by Landskrona’s strategic location at the heart of an expansive region,” says Torkild Strandberg, mayor of the city of Landskrona.
Construction of Logicenters’ solar plant now under way:
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.
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