The European supermarket chain Consum wanted to publicize its most recent success story in the search to save energy costs in the operation of its establishments by installing LED lighting technology in 20 of its more than 600 stores throughout Spain.
Up to 60% of electricity is reported by the company to have saved with this strategy and it is expected to be able to extend the technology in the rest of the properties of the Consum network. This, added to other actions, has achieved that 70% of the brand's premises can be called Eco Efficient stores.
The installation of energy-efficient LED lamps and tubes represents a consumption saving of 60% compared to conventional fluorescents and more than 65% in murals and cold furniture and, in addition, has no maintenance costs.
This initiative is part of a macro project called the cooperative's Energy Saving and Efficiency Plan. To which is added an ambitious goal of reducing the company's carbon footprint by 5% by the end of this year.
In achieving this goal Consum has invested more than seven million euros during the last year, money that will see its return in the medium term thanks to the efficiency of the equipment acquired and the plans implemented. In 2011, for example, electricity consumption fell by 10% compared to 2010, a fact that represents a saving of 3.5 million euros (about US$4.5 million) in the operation of its headquarters.
