VWSA goes light with its lights

Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) is well on its way to achieving its energy- and waste-reduction targets at its Uitenhage plant, in line with the Volkswagen Group’s Think Blue. Factory strategy – which aims to reduce the environmental impact by 25 percent, per car produced.

“Since 2010, VWSA has reduced its electricity usage by 24 percent. It has also reduced waste disposal by 53 percent, water usage by 42 percent, CO₂ emissions by 21 percent and VOC emissions by 22 percent,” says VWSA MD, Thomas Schaefer.

VWSA has managed to decrease its weekend base-load target for the entire manufacturing plant by 27 percent from 3,91 to 2,84 mW. During the second weekend in March, VWSA managed to achieve its lowest base load to date of just 2,13 mW.

“There have been many initiatives that have resulted in these savings. They include implementing various switch-off plans, setting base-load targets for each area and implementing certain technical changes,” says Nick Chapman, VWSA manufacturing and planning manager.

The replacement of old fluorescent tubes with LED lights forms part of the changes. “In Final Assembly, a total of 2 896 tubes were changed during the first phase. We are now planning to change a further 6 650 in the second phase, which is scheduled for April. These changes yielded a reduction of about 98,46 kW for phase one, which is equivalent to a R220 000 saving per year,” says Chapman.

In the logistics division in the main administrative building, a total of 330 tubes were changed to LED lights, reducing consumption by about 5,3 kW.