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ENERGY USE

As a responsible business, we aim to use energy as efficiently as possible in our shops, head offices and equipment, and to use renewable energy where we can. Our approach is to make the right changes for the long term across our estate, so that improved energy efficiency becomes embedded into all new and existing shops.

Improving energy efficiency

In 2009/10, we used 782 million kWh of gas and electricity. Almost 85% of this was used in our Waitrose (60.5%) and John Lewis (24.2%) shops, and this is only likely to increase as our estate expands. Our total energy consumption across the Partnership rose by 2% last year (Waitrose +4%, John Lewis -1%), but through a Partnership-wide energy management programme, we continue to improve our energy efficiency. In 2009/10, Waitrose used 112.8 kWh per sq ft of trading floor area (-3% on previous year) and John Lewis stores consumed 47.7 kWh per sq ft (-6%). This means that both divisions exceeded our target to improve shop energy consumption by 20% by 2010 against a 2003/04 baseline.

This success was achieved by fitting the latest technology into our new shops (making them 25% more efficient than five years ago) as well as our existing estate, and engaging our Partners about the benefits of simple actions such as turning lights and equipment off when not in use. In-store Energy Awareness Manuals, developed in collaboration with the Carbon Trust, empower Partners to use technology in an energy-efficient way, while data from automatic meter readers (AMRs) in every shop allows us to monitor ‘real-time’ consumption.

During 2009/10, we established new systems and processes to ensure we are well placed to meet legal obligations under the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. As part of our Responsible Development commitments (see page 30), we will also now display Energy Performance Certificates in all our new, extended or major refurbished shops, which show the results of an energy efficiency assessment.

Green energy

We see renewable energy as a sustainable, long-term alternative to fossil fuels and use it wherever we can. For instance, we already purchase electricity from certified ‘green’ sources such as hydroelectric generation, biomass, wind farms, energy from waste, and combined heat and power.

Self-generation

As the division of our business that is growing the fastest, with more shops opening and a wider variety of formats and sizes, Waitrose provides us with the most opportunities to trial new initiatives, such as a photovoltaic roof at Wimborne (see page 30).

Our assessment of the viability of other renewable sources such as woodchip and biomass include a pilot project on the Isle of Wight. In collaboration with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), a biomass combined heat and power plant will provide energy to Waitrose East Cowes, making it our first zero-carbon shop – as defined by BREEAM and in line with the UK Government’s definition for zero carbon in non-domestic buildings. The residual heat will be used in an adjacent medical centre and 50 zero-carbon homes.


22%/23%

Waitrose/John Lewis reduction in shop energy consumption per sq ft (2003/04 baseline)


100%

Partnership purchased electricity derived from certified ‘green’ sources


(Photo captioned: John Lewis Cardiff gets 100% of its electricity from the incineration of demolition waste.)


(Two graphs entitled: ENERGY EffICIENCY)