Revolutionizing Lighting with Energy-Efficient LED Solutions
The carbon footprint today is a progressively growing concern. It can’t be controlled, but at least we can reduce it. Fossil fuels are used to generate power, releasing greenhouse gases like CO2 and other substances that contribute to global warming and sometimes climate change.
To address this challenge, Andrew Winstone took the initiative to reduce carbon footprint and founded Energy LED (Pty) Ltd while achieving significant cost savings through advanced LED technology.
With a vision to revolutionize the lighting industry with energy-efficient solutions, Energy LED was founded in 2015. His solutions include smart lighting controls that optimize usage and further enhance energy savings.
The company’s goal is to deliver a comprehensive solution that addresses the customer’s specific needs while maximizing energy savings and financial benefits. They access financial benefits coupled with improved lighting quality, contributing to a more productive and safer work environment.
They have successfully partnered with leading companies to implement transformative lighting solutions that drive sustainability and cost savings. Its projects showcase Energy LED’s ability to deliver substantial energy and cost savings for their customers through their energy-efficient LED lighting solutions.
Let us explore its journey:
Andrew Winstone: From Private Equity to LED Lighting Innovation
Andrew Winstone, CEO of Energy LED, graduated with a Bachelor of Business Science with Honors in Finance from the University of Cape Town in 2001. His professional journey began in private equity, where he eventually became the CFO of Efekto, a leading portfolio company.
His role involved overseeing financial operations until the company was sold and listed as part of Ascendis Health in 2011. Following this, he took a career break to explore new ventures, focusing on the emerging green energy sector.
During his tenure at Efekto, he discovered the benefits of LED lighting in reducing electricity costs and enhancing ROI. This exposure sparked his interest in the LED lighting industry.
In 2015, driven by a passion for sustainability and innovative technology, he founded Energy LED to contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions while providing cost-saving and workplace environment improvement solutions for businesses.
Energy LED: Revolutionizing Lighting with Energy-Efficient Solutions
Energy LED was founded in 2015, born out of a vision to revolutionize the lighting industry with energy-efficient solutions. Our mission is to help businesses reduce their carbon footprint while achieving significant cost savings through advanced LED technology.
Starting with a small team of dedicated professionals, they have grown over time, implementing over R200 million worth of energy-efficient lighting solutions. Its journey has been marked by key milestones, including strategic partnerships with leading OEMs like Philips and recognition as a Level 2 BBBEE contributor, empowered by the SAB Thrive Fund.
Energy LED has also started subsidiaries in Belgium and the UK to execute Lighting as a Service projects for ABInBev in these regions. These achievements reflect the company’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.
Substantial Savings and Enhanced Workplace Environments
Energy LED’s lighting solutions are designed to deliver substantial energy savings by utilizing advanced technology that significantly reduces electricity consumption. By switching to high-efficiency LEDs, businesses can expect to see a reduction in their lighting energy costs by up to 60–70%. This is achieved through superior luminaire efficacy, a longer lifespan, and reduced maintenance requirements.
Additionally, their solutions include smart lighting controls that optimize usage and further enhance energy savings. These financial benefits are coupled with improved lighting quality, contributing to a more productive and safer work environment.
Demonstrating the Financial Benefits
In Energy LED’s feasibility reports and proposals, the company provides a comprehensive analysis of key financial metrics to demonstrate the value of its LED lighting solutions. These metrics include:
- Return on Investment (ROI): calculation of the time it takes for the savings from the LED lighting system to cover the initial investment.
- Internal Rate of Return (IRR): assessment of the profitability of the investment over time.
- Payback Period: Estimation of the time required to recoup the investment from energy savings
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Comparison of the overall costs of the LED system versus traditional lighting over the product’s lifecycle.
These metrics provide a clear picture of the financial benefits and long-term value of Energy LED’s LED solutions, helping businesses make informed decisions about their lighting investments.
Driving Sustainability and Cost Savings for Clients
One notable project was with Givaudan at their Tulisa Park operation in Johannesburg. The existing inefficient lighting at Givaudan’s facility was projected to cost them around R31 million over 10 years.
By partnering with Energy LED, Givaudan aimed to significantly reduce energy consumption while meeting Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) lux requirements. Energy LED installed the latest Philips LED technologies, which reduced Givaudan’s energy consumption by over 70%, resulting in an annual energy saving of 651,407 kWh and a reduction of carbon emissions by almost 4,500 tons.
Another successful case is Energy LED’s partnership with Bosch Rexroth NEW. Bosch Rexroth was facing significant energy costs, spending over R1.5 million annually to run 637 lights at 115.9 kW daily. Through their collaboration and the implementation of Philip’s latest LED products, it helped Bosch Rexroth reduce their energy consumption by 52%.
Delivering Cutting-Edge LED Lighting Solutions
As a Philips Professional Lighting Partner, the company offers its customers access to cutting-edge LED technology renowned for its quality, reliability, and innovation. Philips LEDs are designed for high performance, offering superior luminaire efficacy, exceptional color rendering, and long lifespans. These features ensure consistent lighting quality and reduced maintenance costs.
Additionally, Philips technology includes advanced control systems that enable smart lighting solutions, optimize energy usage, and enhance operational efficiency. The strong R&D backing of Philips ensures that the company’s customers benefit from the latest advancements in LED technology, making their lighting systems future-proof and highly efficient.
The company also provides customers with leading solutions from other OEMs such as Beka, LEDVance, and Aurora, which enables customers to cost and compare leading OEM products and their respective lifespans, savings, and efficiencies.
Rapid Payback and Impressive ROI with LED Lighting Solutions
The typical payback period for Energy LED’s lighting solutions ranges from 12 to 24 months, depending on the scope and scale of the project. This rapid payback is a result of substantial energy savings and reduced maintenance costs.
The return on investment (ROI) is also impressive, with many of the company’s clients experiencing a project ROI of 500–700% and IRRs of 50–120% per annum. For example, an inefficient 400W high-bay conversion can save R80,000 in energy over 9 years for a light that costs R2,500, resulting in a return that is 32 times the initial cost.
These financial benefits are driven by the high efficiency of Energy LED’s systems, which reduce electricity consumption by up to 70%, and the long lifespan of their products, which minimizes replacement and maintenance costs.
These returns are also possible due to the spiraling electricity costs in South Africa over the past 10 years and the reduced cost of LED technology during that period.
Benefits for Customers
Energy LED’s status as a Level 2 QSE (B-BBEE) company empowered by the SAB Thrive Fund provides significant benefits to its customers. This designation reflects the company’s commitment to economic empowerment and compliance with South Africa’s B-BBEE regulations, making Energy LED a preferred supplier for businesses aiming to improve their B-BBEE scorecards.
Furthermore, Energy LED’s partnership with the SAB Thrive Fund enhances its financial stability and capacity to undertake large-scale projects. This empowerment status not only facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements but also supports Energy LED’s client’s corporate social responsibility initiatives by partnering with a company that prioritizes community development and economic inclusivity.
Comprehensive Site Survey and Feasibility Report Process
Energy LED follows a structured process that begins with a detailed site survey conducted by our expert team. During this survey, they assess the existing lighting infrastructure, measure current light levels, and identify areas for improvement.
They also consider factors such as energy consumption, maintenance costs, and operational requirements. Following the survey, they developed a comprehensive feasibility report that includes a cost-benefit analysis, energy savings projections, and detailed financial metrics such as ROI, IRR, and payback period.
This report is accompanied by a customized proposal that outlines the recommended LED solutions, product specifications, and implementation timeline. Energy LED provides its customers with a clear, data-driven roadmap for transitioning to energy-efficient lighting.
Key Factors Considered by Energy LED
When determining the appropriate LED replacement products for its customers’ lighting needs, Energy LED considers several key factors:
- Lighting Requirements: Assessing the specific lighting needs of the space, including required light levels, color temperature, and distribution.
- Energy Efficiency: Selecting products that offer the highest energy savings while meeting the lighting requirements.
- Compatibility: Ensuring that the chosen LED products are compatible with existing fixtures and electrical systems.
- Durability and Lifespan: Choosing products with long lifespans and low maintenance requirements to maximize ROI.
- Smart Features: Incorporating advanced controls and smart lighting capabilities to enhance functionality and efficiency.
By carefully evaluating these factors, Energy LED ensures that its customers receive the best possible lighting solutions tailored to their specific needs, delivering optimal performance, energy savings, and long-term value.
Enhancing Workplace Safety and Productivity
Energy LED’s lighting solutions enhance Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) compliance by providing consistent, high-quality illumination that reduces the risk of accidents and improves visibility in the workplace. Proper lighting is critical for maintaining safe working conditions, especially in industrial and manufacturing settings.
Additionally, Energy LED’s LED lights produce less heat, reducing thermal hazards and improving overall comfort. Enhanced lighting quality also boosts productivity by creating a better working environment, allowing employees to perform tasks more efficiently and accurately.
These improvements contribute to a safer, more productive facility, aligning with both OHS standards and operational goals. As one SAB Rosslyn Brewery worker noted, “The new LED lighting has made a significant difference in our work environment. It’s brighter, more consistent, and helps us focus better on our tasks, which has improved both safety and productivity.”
Reducing CO2 Emissions and Support Sustainability Goals
Energy LED (Pty) Ltd’s LED lighting projects have significantly contributed to reducing CO2 emissions by lowering energy consumption. Their installations have collectively reduced CO2 emissions by 809,616 tons, a testament to the environmental impact of their solutions.
By switching to energy-efficient LEDs, Energy LED’s customers not only achieve substantial energy savings but also align with their sustainability goals by minimizing their carbon footprint.
These projects support global efforts to combat climate change and promote environmental stewardship, making their customer’s operations more sustainable and socially responsible.
Transforming Customer’s Operations and Financial Performance
One standout success story involves their extensive work with AB InBev. Since 2017, Energy LED has installed over 30,000 lights across 17 distribution centers and 9 breweries in South Africa, with the total project value amounting to over R30 million.
This initiative resulted in electricity savings of over R200 million. More recently, Energy LED’s impact extended to Europe, where they converted the Stella Artois Brewery in Leuven, Belgium, using an innovative Lighting as a Service (LaaS) model.
