IKEA is branching out into selling renewable energy to households, starting with Sweden’s home market from September.

Ingka Group, the owner of most IKEA stores worldwide, said households would be able to buy affordable renewable electricity from solar and wind parks, and track their usage through an app.

Ingka’s partner Svea Solar, which produces solar panels for Ikea, will buy the electricity on the Nordic power exchange Nord Pool and resell it without surcharge. Households will pay a fixed monthly fee plus a variable rate.

IKEA, which also sells solar panels for households in 11 markets, said those buyers would be able to track their own production in the app and sell back surplus electricity.

Although IKEA will start selling renewable energy to households in Sweden first, the furniture company aims to roll out the new renewable energy offer as well as IKEA’s solar panel offering to all markets.

Jonas Carlehed, head of sustainability at IKEA Sweden, said: “We want to make electricity from sustainable sources more accessible and affordable for all.

“IKEA wants to build the biggest renewable energy movement together with co-workers, customers and partners around the world, to help tackle climate change together.”

Ingka said the plan was to offer electricity from solar and wind parks five years old or less, as a way to encourage the building of more parks.

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living.