© Copyright NREP 2020 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 is experiencing a strong expansion phase and is in the process of strengthening its team significantly. To support the logistics property company’s continued growth and ambitious goals, Logicenters has acquired six new employees. These include a Sustainability Manager in order to further strengthen Logicenters’ work on sustainability.
Logicenters is today the leading developer and long-term owner of modern and sustainable logistics properties in the Nordic region. Over the past decade, Logicenters has been the most active developer of logistics properties with more than 25 completed projects and over 600,000 square metres of logistics space. Logicenters is now a Nordic team with offices in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
The flourishing e-commerce sector over recent years is just one of the reasons why Logicenters has enjoyed a continued increase in its real estate holdings and strong organisational growth. In order to keep pace with this rate of growth, Logicenters is now reinforcing its team by adding a number of new positions. This includes two new Commercial Managers – Ruben Krantz in Norway and Fredrik Nygren in Sweden.
Logicenters, who are connected to RE100 through NREP, also has high sustainability goals and are working continuously to make its properties more energy efficient. For example, earlier this year, construction began on what will be the Nordic region’s largest rooftop solar cell plant, in terms of both area and capacity. With the aim to further strengthen NREPs work on sustainability, Logicenters has now recruited Karin Sjövall in the role of Sustainability Manager, with a main focus on logistics properties. Karin most recently worked at Nordic Property Management as a Project Sustainability Manager.
“It feels really great to team up with even more smart, driven and engaging people who understand what our customers value. I am absolutely positive that our new colleagues will contribute to our continued growth and help to ensure that our high business goals are achieved. Together, we will continue to develop and manage the Nordic region’s most modern and sustainable logistics properties. And we will take Logicenters to the next level”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Logicenters has also recruited Andreas Luczak as a Transactions Associate, Erik Karlsson as a Business Analyst and Kalle Nurmos as an Asset Manager. In addition, the logistics property company is currently looking into further recruitments in order to support its rate of growth.
Logicenters has welcomed a new tenant to its property in Arlandastad – VeddestaGruppen. The facility, which was completed earlier this year, has a total area of 25,000 m2. This move has enabled the tenant to combine all its operations under one roof.
In the spring of 2019, the groundbreaking ceremony took place for Logicenters’ 25,000 m2 logistics facility at Uppfinnarvägen 4 in Arlandastad, just north of Stockholm. The property’s tenant, VeddestaGruppen, has now just moved into its new property. The new facility now accommodates all four of the Group’s subsidiaries – Veddesta Distribution, Veddesta Transport, Multi Logistik and Bemanningsstrykan.
“We are delighted to welcome VeddestaGruppen to its new property and to accompany it on its journey. They have moved into a modern property in a prime location with all the prerequisites for operating an efficient logistics business. The area around Arlanda Airport has attracted many established logistics companies. We are confident that VeddestaGruppen will thrive in its new home,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
With its proximity to the E4 motorway, Arlanda Airport and the Ostkustbanan railway line, the property has a prime location. Arlandastad is a fast-growing logistics hub with direct proximity to Stockholm and the Mälaren region, making the area very attractive with excellent conditions for logistics operations.
“The move to Arlandastad is something which fills us with great confidence. Combining all our companies under the same roof is something we strongly believe in. Our new property is located in a very attractive location and will further strengthen the services we offer. We are more than ready to start the next chapter in VeddestaGruppen’s story and would also like to take this opportunity to thank Logicenters for its outstanding collaboration,” says Jonas Eriksson, CEO of VeddestaGruppen.
After signing a contract with one of the world’s leading logistics companies, Logicenters is now investing further in Eskilstuna Logistics Park. The lease with the logistics giant is initially for an area of 15,000 m2 and Logicenters is continuing its expansion with another 15,000 m2 in the area. Logicenters’ proactivity has been of key to its success in Eskilstuna. With its current expansion, Logicenters will own a total of 51,000 m2 of warehouse space in this area.
The new tenant is one of the world’s largest logistics providers with operations in more than 100 countries. It specialises in sea and air freight, contract logistics and land transport.
The global logistics company will be moving into the Logicenters property in Eskilstuna Logistics Park, located just outside Eskilstuna. Built on speculation, the property has modern specifications with a floor area of 15,000 m2 which is now being further developed in order to adapt it to the new tenant’s operations. In addition, Logicenters is expanding with another 15,000 m2 in the area – again on speculation.
“The fact that one of the world’s largest logistics companies chooses to move into our property is something we are very proud of. This also reinforces our belief that we are developing modern facilities in geographically attractive locations which appeal to leading global players within logistics. We have several new projects under process in Eskilstuna and we see a bright future in the area. Our ambition is to acquire additional land in the area and to continue the expansion. We are looking forward to welcoming more tenants to one of Sweden’s best logistics locations,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Eskilstuna Logistics Park has an area of 420 hectares and is strategically located just outside Eskilstuna with direct proximity to the motorway, railway and airport. The geographical location of the logistics park provides excellent transport opportunities to Örebro as well as to the Mälaren region and Stockholm. In addition to the developed area of 36,000 m2, Logicenters is now planning to build on a further 15,000 m2, giving it a total warehouse space of 51,000 m2. There is also an option for further expansion for the logistics property company in the area of just over 40,000 m2.This will facilitate expansion for both current and new tenants in the future.
“We are delighted that Logicenters is continuing its offensive expansion in Eskilstuna and that the international logistics company has chosen to invest here. This confirms Eskilstuna’s position as one of the country’s most expansive logistics areas, something which is key to the creation of many new jobs in Eskilstuna,” says David Hofmann, CEO, Eskilstuna Logistik och Etablering AB.
Logicenters’ strength has always been proactivity and expertise in acquiring key sites of land to establish in logistically strategic locations throughout the Nordic region. Logicenters specialises in modern logistics and develops properties which meet the high standards of quality, efficiency and flexibility required by world-class logistics companies.
Logicenters is now scaling up and preparing for further expansion at the Brunna Logistics Park. By acquiring 52,000 m2 of land, the logistics property company is strengthening its presence at the logistics park. The land acquisition will enable speculative construction of a new facility to begin in the latter part of 2020. The logistics facility is being built on speculation but will be able to accommodate and adapt to a number of tenants.
Logicenters is continuing to establish and consolidate its presence at strategic logistics hubs. This time it is through the acquisition of land in Brunna, north of Stockholm. The acquisition totals 52,000 m² in Brunna Logistics Park. Its proximity to Stockholm and to Arlanda Airport makes the area an excellent geographical hub for logistics. In addition, the new site is optimally located as it offers large and visible signage opportunities along the busy E18 motorway for the facility to be built on this land.
“This is precisely the type of investment that Logicenters should be making, which is why I am delighted that a major land acquisition has now been completed. Offering geographical advantages, Brunna Logistics Park is the perfect location for companies wanting to operate with modern logistics. This ensures our expansion in the area and we are looking forward to planning out a new modern facility which will be able to accommodate several tenants with differing requirements,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
As a result of this land acquisition, Logicenters is expanding its presence at the Brunna Logistics Park and now owns a total area of 148,115 m². The logistics property company has had a presence in the well-established logistics park since 2017. Once this facility is completed, Logicenters will have around 100,715 m² of leasable space. Its properties in the area already house companies such as Zalando, Systembolaget, Bythjul.com and Autoglas.
It is not yet clear who the tenants will be in the new facility.
Eight thousand tonnes of steel. This is the quantity of steel that Logicenters has now ordered from Ruukki Building Systems Oy for the continued development of what will become one of Europe’s largest logistics facilities in Bålsta. The building will be around 125,000 m2 in area and is being developed for tenant Dagab. The scope of delivery comprises steel frame, façades and partition walls among other parts.
The development of Logicenters’ 125,000 m2 facility in Bålsta, just outside Stockholm, is in full swing. The next phase of the development is now beginning, with Logicenters having signed a contract with Ruukki Building Systems Oy regarding the supply of steel for the property. The delivery comprises the steel frame, façades, partition walls, roof and doors, totalling more than 8000 tonnes of steel. This means that more steel will be used in the logistics facility than was used to build the Eiffel Tower.
“It is great that the development of our facility in Bålsta is on track. It was not easy finding a company able to deliver the amount of steel required for our facility in accordance with our tight schedule. It is therefore gratifying to have now begun a collaboration with Ruukki Building Systems Oy which meets our high standards in terms of both quantity and quality of deliveries,” says Eva Sterner, Head of Development at Logicenters.
The groundworks and casting of the concrete foundations are currently under way. During the summer, work will begin on the frame and façades – which is also when it will be possible to get a sense of the vastness of this large-scale facility.
“At Ruukki, we are proud to be part of Logicenters’ ambitious logistics development. Like Logicenters, we believe in a sustainable approach to what we do and therefore take care to ensure that the products we are now producing for the facility meet the high standards required. The fact that the collaboration is for such a large amount is, of course, also a feather in our cap,” says Magnus Thelm at Ruukki Building Systems Oy.
The web-based menswear store Care of Carl has now signed a lease with Logicenters. It will make the move to Logicenters’ facility in Viared, just outside Borås, in October 2020. Care of Carl will lease approximately 12,000 m2, equivalent to half of the facility’s capacity. This means that the remaining half of the property will be available for other tenants with the opportunity to move in during the autumn of 2020.
Borås-based company Care of Carl is to become a new tenant at the Logicenters facility in Viared. It is scheduled to move into the modern property, built in 2012, in October 2020. The building has technical specifications optimised for modern logistics operations and will be further adapted to the new tenant’s requirements. Of the almost 24,000 m² property, Care of Carl is leasing around 12,000 m², with half of the property’s floor area remaining available to other tenants.
“We are delighted to welcome Care of Carl to its new logistics property in Viared. It will move into a modern facility with all the specifications required to operate effective logistics. In addition, the property is located in one of Sweden’s best logistics sites. Care of Carl is an exciting company in the rapidly growing e-commerce sector and we hope that it will be very successful at its new property,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The property is located in a very visible site along the R40 main road. Its proximity to both Gothenburg and Jönköping means that the area is ranked as Sweden’s primary logistics area. The vicinity to Landvetter Airport also makes it very attractive to logistics companies.
“We are really looking forward to moving into our new logistics and office facility this autumn. The additional storage space will support our continued expansion while also enabling us to streamline internal processes. Being able to keep the warehouse in Borås, as both a strategic location and the company’s hometown, was a requirement for us and we are very pleased that we have succeeded in this. We are looking forward to working with Logicenters, a major player in the provision of logistics properties, with a strong base in the Borås region and a clear understanding of the needs of rapidly growing companies,” concludes Henning Källqvist, CEO and founder of Care of Carl.
Consultants Savills supported both parties in the negotiations.
“We are delighted that the deal with Care of Carl is completed. We are pleased to have contributed to this excellent solution for both parties,” says Rikard Lindkvist, head of Savills’ logistics team in Sweden.
Logicenters is taking steps to strengthen its Swedish team by recruiting a logistics profile to support its future growth. The logistics property company has welcomed Fredrik Nygren in the role of Commercial Manager for Logicenters in Sweden. Nygren has substantial experience in the logistics industry, most recently having worked as a Branch Manager at Schenker.
Logicenters is very ambitious and is expanding both in Sweden and the other Nordic countries. In order to support future growth and as part of its continued investment, the logistics property company has recruited a commercial manager for Logicenters in Sweden, Fredrik Nygren, who will be responsible for the continued business development in Sweden.
“Fredrik has many years of experience in the industry and a proven ability to understand customer needs. Logicenters is undergoing a strong growth phase and I am convinced that together we will achieve our high expectations for the further development of our business. I would like to wish Fredrik a warm welcome to our team and I look forward to working together,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Fredrik Nygren has in-depth experience in the logistics industry, having worked for several prominent logistics companies in recent decades. His previous position was as a Branch Manager at Schenker. Prior to that, he held senior roles as Sales & Business Development Manager at LGT Logistics as well as Sales & Commercial Manager at Aditro Logistics. Fredrik Nygren will now become a key person in the Logicenters team.
“Joining such a successful and leading company as Logicenters is something I am very proud and happy about. I look forward to working with my new team to further develop the business,” says Fredrik Nygren.
After a long period of collaboration, both Menigo Foodservice AB in Strängnäs and Dustin AB i Rosersberg have reconfirmed their trust in Logicenters as a landlord. New leases have been signed for periods of seven and ten years, respectively. During 2020, Logicenters will further develop the properties to meet the tenants’ needs.
After several years of cooperation, Menigo Foodservice AB and Dustin AB have chosen to renew their leases with Logicenters. Menigo has signed a seven-year lease with Logicenters and will remain as a tenant in the Bussen 5 property in Strängnäs – a modern logistics facility. The property is located between Södertälje and Eskilstuna, which is an excellent logistics location in close proximity to Stockholm and the Mälaren region. The modern building has an area of 27,500 m² and has been adapted to handle refrigerated, frozen and dry goods.
Dustin continues to lease the property at Metallvägen 36 in Rosersberg, which is also located in one of the best logistics locations in Sweden alongside the E4 motorway and close to Stockholm, the Mälaren region and Arlanda Airport. Dustin has signed a ten-year lease with Logicenters and it will also invest in automation during the coming lease period. The logistics facility which Dustin will continue to lease meets all the criteria for a modern logistics operation. The leased area amounts to 22,500 m².
“It is very pleasing that our tenants are so happy with us that they are choosing to enter into long-term contracts. The fact that Menigo and Dustin are extending their contracts for seven and ten years respectively is confirmation to us that our properties are attractive and can support their growth journeys. At Logicenters, it is always our aim to offer high quality and flexible properties in locations which are strategically suitable for logistics and we look forward to continued good cooperation with our tenants,” says Jonas Kennerhed, Asset Manager at Logicenters.
The Menigo contract expires on 1 January 2021 and adaptations and improvements to the property will be carried out during 2020. The adaptations to the Rosersberg property will begin immediately and will be completed in 2020.
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.
© Copyright NREP 2020 All rights reserved.