Green hydrogen: Lidl invests €100 million in an innovative logistics platform near Nantes

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The German discount retailer group Lidl has chosen Atlantic France as the place to locate a 53,000 sqm logistics hub. The €100 million project includes the installation of thousands of photovoltaic panels and nearly 100 handling equipment machines equipped with green hydrogen thanks to a partnership with the startup Lhyfe

The Carquefou logistics hub, on the outskirts of Nantes, is the 25th to be created in France by the international company Lidl, and it is the first in Europe to use green hydrogen. This platform also hosts the regional management team of the German group.

Key figures:

  • 53,000 sqm by 20 m in height (5 floors) for a total capacity of 42,000 pallets
  • 104 loading docks
  • 68 Lidl supermarkets supplied daily
  • 280 employees

Solar panels and sustainable hydrogen to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Lidl has invested €100 million in this new facility in Nantes with the ambition of making it a showcase of its logistics and of industry 4.0. The building has thus been equipped with 4,759 photovoltaic panels, covering 17,000 sqm and 21% of the plant’s electric power needs. In addition, 98 machines and 1 delivery truck will be fueled with green hydrogen thanks to a partnership with local specialist Lhyfe. 

Lidl is proud to open the first logistics platform in Europe running on green hydrogen, in Carquefou, thanks to its partners Plug Power, which has adapted the handling equipment, and Lhyfe, whose green hydrogen production plant is located 75km from our site. […] Lidl believes in the future of green hydrogen to optimise its logistics and lower its CO2 emissions in accordance with its commitments.

Gregory Podda, Logistics Manager, Lidl France

After the mobility sector and public players, Lidl is paving the way for renewable hydrogen for the world of logistics, transport and private players. This is a very promising turning point for the energy transition.

Matthieu Guesné, Founding President, Lhyfe

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