TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Twelve retailers across Taiwan, including Carrefour, Hi-Life, Far Eastern City Super, and Surewell Fresh Supermarket, will upgrade their refrigeration and freezer equipment to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions, the Taiwan General Chamber of Commerce said Thursday.
According to the association, refrigeration and freezer equipment accounts for about 30% to 40% of electricity consumption in the retail sector. Upgrading these systems will help reduce operating costs and support sustainable business practices, per CNA.
The association said the upgrades are expected to include the replacement and maintenance of refrigeration and freezer facilities and their components. It also pledged to bring more Taiwanese retailers to join the initiative.
Carrefour aims to source all of its corporate electricity from renewable energy by 2030 and reduce its electricity consumption by 28% compared to 2019 levels. To achieve this, the company is implementing various energy-saving measures, including upgrades to lighting and air conditioning systems.
Additionally, Carrefour has reduced annual electricity use by 7.7% at its Neihu store in Taipei through the use of an energy monitoring and management system developed in collaboration with the Industrial Technology Research Institute.
In April, Hi-Life also partnered with ITRI to launch a reusable e-commerce packaging program. The initiative allows consumers to return collapsible boxes directly at convenience stores when picking up their orders.
According to ITRI, the recyclable packaging can be tracked through a logistics management platform, enabling retailers to monitor its movement and reduce packaging waste. The durable boxes have a lifespan of up to 10,000 uses and can withstand temperatures as low as minus 20 C.
Last year, the Energy Administration partnered with Taiwan's leading energy service companies to launch an AI-powered energy-saving program targeting large energy-consuming companies. This initiative aims to cut electricity consumption by 20.6 billion kilowatt-hours by 2027, which is equivalent to 8% of the nation's annual electricity use.
The administration also collaborated with ITRI to develop a refrigeration and freezer equipment management system. This system uses AI to monitor customer flow, weather conditions, and equipment data to adjust operational settings. It has been adopted by over 3,000 retail stores in Taiwan and can reduce each store’s electricity use by 10%-15% annually.
