TRUSTPOWER SWITCHES OFF TO SET AN EXAMPLE
13 August 2008
by Graham Skellern
Tauranga-based electricity generator and retailer TrustPower freely gives out tips on how to save on those nagging power bills. It has also proven it can lead by example.
At the end of May TrustPower introduced an in-house energy-saving campaign, in response to growing concerns about low hydro storage levels - which have now abated.
Just by switching off lighting and equipment such as computers and printers when not required, in its 15-year-old building at Te Maunga, TrustPower made strong savings.
During June, total energy use dropped 10.3 per cent compared with the same month in 2007, and in the evenings the savings amounted to 17 per cent.
For July, the overall energy use fell 8.3 per cent, while the evening saving climbed even further to 19 per cent.
TrustPower's head office, which houses about 250 people during normal business hours, is a purpose- built building designed to incorporate efficiency features available back in the mid-1990s.
There was little opportunity to reduce lighting consumption by changing bulbs or fittings, and because of the building location in a rural setting, external lighting could not be reduced for staff safety and property security.
TrustPower chief executive Keith Tempest said the energy saving exercise showed that even a well-informed electricity company, in a 15-year old energy efficient building, could reduce its power consumption to deliver long-term cost savings.
He said instruction about energy saving has now been incorporated into the induction and training processes for all new employees.
``I think our achievements show that a little effort can go a long way. Without any significant impact on our business operations, apart from waiting a few minutes for some equipment to warm up in the morning, we have achieved really worthwhile reductions in our electricity consumption,'' Mr Tempest said.
Copyright 2008 APN New Zealand Ltd - Regionals.
Bay of Plenty Tiimes
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