Woolies on power-saving crusade

It also said that it was on track to use 5% less energy this year.

"In support of the efforts to address the nation's energy crisis, Woolworths continues to focus on reducing energy usage in all aspects of the business," it said.

It explained that it was already running energy-saving initiatives in its lighting and air conditioning systems, refrigeration and building design.

It added that all light fittings in Western and Eastern Cape stores had been changed to energy-efficient fittings, and it was currently in discussion with Eskom to roll this programme out in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Gauteng.

It said that it only used electronic ballasts, in place of magnetic chokes in stores, depots and offices to power fluorescent lights, resulting in a 15% saving in lighting costs, and it was installing automated lighting switching equipment in certain stores to ensure that lights did not remain on after hours.

Energy saving

The retailer also said that with the exception of its KZN stores, none of its stand-alone food stores had air conditioning. The KZN stores required air conditioning to keep the humidity down, according to the group.

"Energy-efficient refrigeration plants installed in stores and depots over recent years have reduced the power consumed by refrigeration by up to 40%," it explained.

Some of the other examples included closed refrigeration cabinets which had already been in practice for years, as well as recycled refrigeration system heat - called waste heat - which was pumped back into the food market to "help maintain an ambient temperature".

It also said it used natural ventilation through windows, natural light and solar powered water heating as energy-saving measures.

- I-Net Bridge