Bright Sparks | big players are serious about energy-efficiency targets

03 December 2014

NBI case study report proves big players are serious about energy-efficiency targets

The National Business Initiative (NBI) recently published its 2014 edition of energy efficiency case studies. The report showcases the initiatives of companies that are part of the NBI’s Energy Efficiency Leadership Network (EELN), an initiative that promotes energy efficiency in the broader South African business sector through a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity development. 

EELN Chairman Stan Pillay explains how this publication is doing just that: “The case studies in this booklet provide an opportunity to learn from the good work that member companies are doing, and they demonstrate how the EELN’s activities have leveraged the upscaling of energy efficiency among private sector businesses.” 

The case studies clearly demonstrate that energy efficiency is increasingly being recognised by leading South African companies as a crucial business imperative that impacts the bottom line — and positively so. The following are examples of results achieved by some of the participants thus far:

• Engen has saved more than R2.3 million across its dealer network through a lighting project.
• Telkom has saved approximately 16 million kWh since 2012 as a result of energy-efficiency initiatives they’ve implemented.
• The installation of new technology has cut Glencore’s energy bills by more than 20%.
• Transnet is saving about R50 million annually on electricity costs by regenerating energy in new locomotives.
• AngloGold Ashanti recouped an efficiency investment of R6.7 million from a single project.
• Growthpoint’s designs and retrofit energy initiatives are saving tenants more than R62 million a year.
• Energy efficiency projects at Woolworths are set to save the company R190 million in four years.
• A ventilation overhaul is saving Anglo American R2 million annually and inspiring further savings.