Pick n Pay Explores Energy Security Solutions
www.MyPE.co.za: Pick
n Pay’s conservation commitment is a 20% reduction in electricity
usage by 2012, and the retailer recently launched the pilot phase of a
wind turbine project at their regional offices in Port Elizabeth in the
Eastern Cape, in a further commitment to this goal.
As the country’s largest retailer, the Pick
n Pay business relies
heavily on the agricultural sector, and issues such as food, water and
energy security are obviously central to its ongoing sustainability.
Consequently, the company recognises the impact that climate change
will have on the way the company operates.
“Pick n Pay has taken a significant step forward for sustainability and
energy independence in this country. We have formulated an energy
strategy that focuses on three core areas management of energy within
the company; investigation into new energy-efficient ways of operating;
and exploring clean renewable sources of energy,” says CEO, Nick
Badminton
“Until recently the company focused much of its efforts internally on
managing its energy consumption and implementing initiatives to ensure
greater energy efficiency. We installed DSM lighting in all stores and
established an eco-store programme that will see new stores being
designed in a more energy-efficient manner. Our efforts have been
recognised globally - Pick n Pay was ranked one of the top 10 companies
in the Carbon Disclosure Project’s assessment of climate change
disclosure practices.”
In the past year the company has turned its attention towards the third
focus area in its energy strategy: the exploration of cleaner renewable
sources of energy. “While many countries around the world use renewable
energy sources to great effect, in South Africa its use remains largely
unexplored and it is not widely available,” says Tessa Chamberlain,
General Manager: Sustainable Development. “Pick n Pay recognised that
solutions to these challenges will not be forthcoming unless all the
stakeholders commit to researching and further developing renewable
energy sources available to us locally. The company has therefore
pioneered a wind turbine project at its Eastern Cape operation, in
association with Kestrel, the renewable energy arm of long-time
supplier, Eveready.
The three locally manufactured Eveready-Kestrel wind turbines (e300i
-1kW) installed at Pick n Pay’s Port Elizabeth Regional Office will
generate green electricity to augment the usage of its employees and
building situated at Walmer Park Shopping Centre. The turbines are
fully commissioned as a Grid Connected system approved by the Nelson
Mandela Bay Metropole.
The wind farm, which was manufactured in Eveready’s
Port Elizabeth
factory, will allow Pick n Pay to make its electricity source more
sustainable, which is ultimately kinder to the environment; as well as
increasing its energy-autonomy. “When electricity comes from a single
source your energy independence is very low,” says Emma Sanan,
Kestrel’s marketing coordinator. “Having a separate electricity source
has increased Pick n Pay’s energy independence, which has given them
the ability to import and export energy to the national distribution
grid ensuring the Regional Office has a sustainable supply of renewable
energy.”
The result is a real daily reduction in energy usage of 3% of the
current electricity usage, as established via an energy audit and
solution dialogue with Eveready-Kestrel. After understanding their
usage patterns, Pick n Pay was able to select a customised solution
that suited the power requirement as well as their available resources.
The micro-siting, construction, inspection and interconnection were
managed by Eveready.
“This installation goes a long way in addressing the reality that we
need to rethink the way in which we operate in order to guarantee a
sustainable future,” says Chamberlain. “It is only a small part of Pick
n Pay’s commitment to the environment - the Company has
created a
holistic approach to environmental practice by using available
technologies to increase operational efficiency in the company’s ‘four
pillars’ concept, which comprises prioritising economic sustainability,
transformation, social development and environmental
responsibility.”
Source: PERCCI.
Port Elizabeth Budget Accommodation
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