The Shoprite Group has reduced its electricity consumption by 11,8% following the installation of 1 001 932 energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lightbulbs across 1647 of its supermarkets and distribution centres nationwide.

According to Sanjeev Raghubir, the retailer’s sustainability manager, this strategy resulted in savings of 164 million kWh and R346 million in electricity costs for the Group during its 2022/2023 financial year. The replacement of more traditional luminaires to LED lamps cost the Group R371 million over a five-year period, the company says.

The company has been taking proactive steps in its energy planning for many years, Raghubir says. The rollout has helped the Group to strengthen its stores’ energy resilience to withstand both anticipated and unforeseen disruptions in energy supply and increases in electricity tariffs.

LED lamps are typically 50% more energy efficient than fluorescent lamps, and we encourage everyone to play their part in reducing their energy consumption to stabilise our national grid,” adds Raghubir.

Not only do LED lamps use less power for the same light output, but they also have a longer lifespan than traditional lamps. They can last up to 25 times longer, which translates to lower maintenance costs. This is particularly beneficial for retailers with large store spaces or numerous lighting fixtures.

Another benefit is reduced heat production. Traditional luminaires generate a considerable amount of heat, which can increase cooling costs for retailers. LED lamps emit far less heat, reducing the load on air conditioning systems and potentially leading to additional savings on energy bills.

This initiative forms part of the Group’s strategy to improve energy efficiency as much as possible and then to use renewable energy across its operations including distribution centres, trucks and trailers.

In addition to the LED installations, the retailer has more than doubled its installed capacity of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems over the past two years. Currently, 71 sites covering 174 534 m² are equipped with solar PV, resulting in a total installed capacity of 32,3 MW. That is sufficient to power 4500 average sized households for a year, he adds.

The Shoprite Group aims to power 25% of its operations with renewable energy within the next five years as part of its commitment to reach science-based emission targets by 2050.

Installing solar PV on trailers is also a priority for the retailer as it enables drivers to switch off truck ignitions at delivery locations, reducing exhaust pollution while keeping the cold chain intact.

In 2022, the Group expanded the number of trailers in its fleet equipped with solar PV to 1041.

The retailer’s initiative fits with the government’s decision to ban incandescent and fluorescent lamps as it tries to reduce the country’s overall energy load. 

These interventions have helped to reduce the Group’s electricity costs, increase efficiency, and enhance business resilience, Roghubir concludes.