Energy focus saves Bt1.5 billion for CP group

Ajva Taulananda, vice chairman of CP Group and chief corporate communications officer, yesterday said the campaign had managed to save Bt1.5 billion over four years by focusing on four key areas.

The first is pruning administration expenses by such measures as turning off unnecessary lights and air-conditioning and repair equipment.

The second is improving the efficiency of existing machinery and equipment such as boilers and walk-in freezers, as well as using new machinery.

The third is encouraging employees to reduce the use of resources.

The last is multiplying the result from improving overall efficiency, including safety in the working environment.

The group also gives importance to using renewable energy, Ajva said. For example, it established a biogas power plant, which saves 30 per cent of energy needs or Bt10 million per year.

It shifted from burning fuel oil to corn cobs and palm kernels,

which saves about Bt100 million per year.

Each of the investment projects must break even within two years and will be benchmarked intensely this year.

"We prefer improving our efficiency steadily rather than focusing on the return from reducing energy consumption," he added.