Projects
Morrisons Supermarkets

Driving sustainability in British retail

Morrisons has been a much-loved British institution for over 100 years. Today, it serves around 11 million customers annually across nearly 500 supermarkets and more than 1,600 daily convenience stores throughout the UK. The supermarket owns and operates its own manufacturing sites, abattoirs, and distribution centres, enabling greater quality control and cost efficiencies.

This level of control also allows Morrisons to take bold steps in its decarbonisation strategy. The retailer has committed to achieving net-zero emissions from its own operations (Scope 1 and 2) by 2035, five years earlier than initially planned and 15 years ahead of the UK government’s 2050 target. Building on a 32% reduction in emissions since 2017 (equating to nearly 300,000 tonnes of CO₂), Morrisons has set interim targets including a 46% cut in operational emissions by 2030, a 30% reduction in Scope 3 supply chain emissions, and the adoption of solar farms and electric vehicle infrastructure.

Sector	Supermarkets
End User	Morrisons
Location	UK wide
Scope of Work	Wilson e3 Ultra Low Loss Amorphous® Transformers (500kVA, 800kVA, and 2500kVA) 1500kVA Wilson e3+ Ultra-Low Loss Amorphous® Transformer with OLTC Wilson e2 Super Low Loss Amorphous® Transformer (800kVA, 1000kVA and 1250kVA) Wilson e1 Ecotrans® Distribution Transformers (1000kVA, 1500kVA and 2000kVA)

We have played a key role in supporting these ambitions. As a long-standing supplier of energy-efficient transformers to Morrisons, we helped improve energy efficiency across stores nationwide. From urban centres like London and Glasgow to regional towns such as Oswestry, Abergavenny, and St Ives, we have delivered a range of amorphous transformers over the past 15 years, including the Wilson e2 and Wilson e3 (ahead of the curve and lower than Ecodesign transformer losses). These products have been superseded by Wilson e4 Ultimate Low Loss Amorphous® Transformer.

Recent projects include the supply of a special build Wilson e3 Amorphous® Ultra-Low Loss Transformer to the Camden Goods Yard development in London in 2024 with 417V custom LV, and a 1500kVA Wilson e3 Ultra Low Loss Amorphous® Transformer to a new store in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow in 2023. These installations reflect Morrisons’ ongoing investment in transformer technology that reduces on-site electricity use, improves power quality, and supports long-term sustainability targets.

wilson e4 ultimate low loss amorphous transformer

Voltage Optimisation at Morrisons Lichfield

At Morrisons' Lichfield site, the supermarket identified a higher-than-necessary incoming supply voltage (average 237V), leading to inefficient energy use across voltage-sensitive equipment. The existing transformer was a decade-old standard-loss unit. To resolve this, the company installed a Wilson Low Loss Transformer and implemented a 5% voltage reduction. The results were significant, leading to an 8.2% decrease in electricity use, translating to annual savings of 158,968 kWh and approximately £14,300.

Following the installation, Power Quality Management Ltd conducted a 14-day monitoring survey to verify the improvements. The study confirmed that the new transformer and voltage adjustment significantly improved efficiency and power quality, aligning with European harmonised voltage standards (230V ±10%). Benefits extended beyond energy savings, including reduced equipment stress, longer asset life, and improved site reliability. With a payback period of under 2.5 years, the success of this project has led Morrisons to explore a broader rollout across its estate.

Over the years, we have supported transformer upgrades and new store builds at sites in Bradford, Newcastle Great Park, Little Clacton, Eastbourne, and many more. With units ranging in size from 500kVA to 2500kVA, these installations have enabled Morrisons to manage voltage more effectively, reduce operational energy costs, and enhance electrical resilience.

14300

annual financial savings

(based on £0.09 /kWh)

158968 kWh

annual energy savings

Payback Calculator

Europe’s most efficient distribution transformer

Upgrading to Wilson e4 Ultimate Low Loss Amorphous® Transformer provides you with substantial carbon, energy and financial savings. Use our payback calculator to find our potential savings.

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