"As early as 2001 we recognised that as a group we had to start doing our bit to conserve power to get the ball rolling, we implemented a heat recovery system, an ingenious machine that uses the excess energy from our air conditioning units and heats the water in our pools and showers. With this system in place, we are saving approximately 960,000KWh per year - which is enough energy to keep a world-class football stadium fully lit for 3 months!" says Elaine Jobson, the group's newly appointed National Operations Manager.
"We have actively implemented an energy saving campaign throughout all our 84 clubs nationally, these initiatives are simple yet effective and is a joint effort by our staff complement of over 3,500 employees and our members, whom we encourage to come up with ideas on an ongoing basis. We see our current energy crisis as an opportunity for corporates and the public to tackle together. Hence, we would like to invite fellow corporates to join the movement and challenge us with their own power saving ideas."
The group is currently working on a number of other projects to reduce their energy requirements even more. These projects include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Installing energy efficient lighting;
• Using timers on external lighting to shut down lighting of specific areas such as parking areas, at certain times;
• Installing smart lighting, which adapts the indoor lighting levels according to outside weather and light level conditions;
• Installing PIRs (passive infrared sensors) which automatically turn off lighting in various areas in the club that are not being used by members or staff;
• Launching their “Bright Spark” initiative in which each club has a staff member who is responsible for ensuring that all electrical appliances are off when not in use. No appliances are to be left on standby, when they are not being used.
• Solar panels will be installed and integrated into the heat recovery system and will further reduce the use of electricity.
• Virgin Active in the UK is investigating the use of kinetic energy, which members generate as they use various pieces of exercise equipment.
