- Distribution centre for The Range, wilko, Homebase and Bathstore becomes one of the largest commercial and industrial solar installations in the UK.
CDS Superstores has unlocked capital for investment in renewable energy infrastructure from the refinancing of its largest distribution centres, including a 2.5MW rooftop solar installation at its Avonmouth warehouse that is now exporting surplus power into the wider energy network.
The refinancing, provided by Investec, covers CDS’s two flagship logistics assets in Avonmouth and Stowmarket, totalling 2.3million sq ft of distribution capacity that supports the rapid expansion of the group’s retail portfolio including The Range wilko, Homebase and Bathstore.
By securing long-term funding against its assets, CDS has created the balance sheet flexibility to invest in (amongst other capital projects) on-site solar generation, battery storage and smarter energy management across its estate. The newly completed Avonmouth system, delivered in partnership with energy platform InRange, has been designed not only to meet on-site demand, but also to export excess electricity into a broader energy network supplying high-consumption users such as data centres.
Alex Simpkin, chief executive of CDS Superstores, said the project reflected a shift in how the group views its logistics infrastructure.
“Our distribution centres are central to our growth and wider retail ambitions,” he said. “The refinancing has enabled us to invest in capital projects including solar and energy optimisation at scale, cutting long-term costs, creating new revenue opportunities and contributing to the energy system as we work towards net zero.”
The 2.5MW installation at Avonmouth marks the first phase of a wider programme that will combine solar generation with battery storage and intelligent demand management at the site. Once fully developed, Challenger 1 is expected to rank among the largest commercial and industrial solar installations in the UK.
CDS plans to deploy up to 40MW of solar capacity across its UK retail and logistics estate over the coming years, alongside increased electrification of warehouse operations, material-handling equipment and vehicle charging. Together, the Avonmouth and Stowmarket distribution centres serve around 85% of the UK population within a 4.5-hour drive and provide approximately 60% of the group’s total distribution capacity.
John Mushriqui, chief executive of InRange, said the project demonstrated how large commercial rooftops could be transformed into energy assets that sell surplus energy into a broader energy network.
“Sites like Avonmouth can generate far more clean power than they consume,” he said. “By connecting large warehouses into an energy network, we’re enabling surplus generation to be used by power-intensive users such as data centres, while helping asset owners reduce costs, create new revenue streams and support grid resilience.”
Jason Presence, head of distribution at Investec Real Estate, said the refinancing supported both growth and long-term infrastructure investment.
“This transaction underlines how logistics assets are increasingly being financed as critical infrastructure,” he said. “Our partnership with CDS reflects the scale of its growth ambitions and our ability to support investment in sustainable, mission-critical distribution assets at pace.”
The refinancing follows an earlier Investec loan to fund CDS’s Stowmarket development in Suffolk and reflects the growing convergence between retail logistics, energy strategy and infrastructure investment, as operators seek to future-proof estates against rising energy costs and tightening decarbonisation requirements.
Source : CDS Superstores
Image : CDS Superstores
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15 April 2026
