Case Study

United Co-op Energy Awareness Campaign

At the start of their campaign in 1999 United Co-op owned over 600 premises including: Large supermarkets (Superstores) Local supermarkets Funeral services Travel agents Healthcare (Pharmacies) Offices and distribution centres Total annual utility expenditure was £6.35 million of which £5 million was electricity. A newly appointed Energy Manager conducted a benchmarking exercise which revealed scope for substantial savings. An energy awareness campaign was planned with support from NIFES Energy Training.

It was thought that a 10% energy and cost reduction was achievable and this was set as a target across the estate. The strategy received the full support of senior managers and resulted in the devolving of energy budgets to Store Manager level. A programme of meter reading was initiated with monthly figures collected centrally and the information analysed and acted upon where likely energy and water waste was identified.

NIFES designed a tailor-made training programme geared to the needs of Store Managers. NIFES then delivered these ½ sessions to over 1000 managers across the different areas of the estate. This equipped the Store Managers in their role as energy champions. In addition NIFES gave short presentations and chaired discussions at a number of managers’ meetings to explain the campaign and report on progress.

The Store Managers’ energy saving role included:

• meter reading
• initiating good housekeeping programmes
• investigation all the controls of energy in their store and resetting them appropriately
• operating equipment and fittings in an energy efficient manner

An energy helpdesk was established to deal with problems, enquiries and suggestions. Managers’ input was sought about energy related issues concerning equipment purchase and store refurbishment.

The campaign proved very successful and popular with staff, some of whom received awards from the company suggestion scheme and as employees of the best performing branches.

Energy and water savings totalled over £900,000 in the first year of the campaign (14.1%) and accrued savings so far exceed £2 million.

NIFES also advised the United Co-op on strategy issues and helped with overall design of the campaign including the production of posters, stickers and promotional items.