Byrne’s Spar Oakpark

Byrne’s Spar Oakpark

Operating since 2001 and located in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Byrnes Spar Oakpark is a convenience retailer with a long-standing commitment to sustainability, having previously received a Repak Green Retailer Award. As the store developed over more than two decades, a number of refrigeration and lighting systems remained in operation from the original opening and a subsequent 2009 refit. With energy costs becoming an increasing concern, Byrnes Spar Oakpark worked with Jigsaw Better Business through the Green for Business programme to gain a deeper understanding of its electricity consumption, identify the equipment responsible for the greatest demand, and establish a prioritised investment plan for future energy-efficiency upgrades. 

10%

Reduction in energy consumption from identified measures

4.69

Reduction in CO2 emissions

“I recently completed a Green for Business assignment for our bar/guesthouse and worked with Jigsaw Better Business. Our consultant was John Bosteels. The experience was excellent. John was knowledgeable, approachable, and really took the time to understand how our business operates. He provided clear, practical recommendations that are easy to implement in our day-to-day running. I would highly recommend the programme to any small business looking to improve sustainability while also becoming more efficient.”

– Google Review

CLIENT

Byrne’s Spar Oakpark

INDUSTRY

Convenience Retail

SERVICE

Green for Business

DURATION

4 weeks

In their own words

Programme Overview

Operating since 2001 and located in Tralee, Co. Kerry, Byrnes Spar Oakpark is a convenience retailer with a long-standing commitment to sustainability, having previously received a Repak Green Retailer Award. They already had established waste-management practices, including separate plastic, cardboard and food waste collections, participation in the Deposit Return Scheme, and use of Too Good To Go and Gander to reduce food waste by selling surplus products before they become waste. They undertook to programme to gain a better understanding of their energy consumption.

The Challenge

One of Byrnes Spar Oakpark’s main challenges was the age and energy demand of its refrigeration equipment. Several units had been in operation for many years, with some of the dairy-wall equipment dating back to 2003, while other systems remained from earlier shop fit-outs. As refrigeration operates continuously, the business wanted to understand which units were responsible for the greatest electricity consumption and where capital investment would deliver the strongest energy and cost reductions. Total annual electricity consumption was 218,874 kWh, with 78% consumed during the day and 22% at night, demonstrating the significant continuous baseload associated with refrigeration, freezers and display equipment.

Our Approach

Using the Green for Business programme, Jigsaw Better Business completed a detailed resource consumption analysis using electricity data, supported by a site visit and equipment assessment. The equipment analysed accounted for approximately 63,242 kWh of annual electricity consumption, with refrigeration representing approximately 92.7% of this measured load.

The Outcome

This analysis was used to prioritise a series of potential upgrades. Replacing the older dairy walls with new units was estimated to save approximately 7,575 kWh per year, reducing their energy demand by 57.5%. Replacement of the older spider fridge was estimated to save a further 4,006 kWh, while upgrading the hot service counter could save approximately 3,947 kWh. The outdoor fluorescent lighting was also identified as a relatively straightforward opportunity, with an estimated saving of approximately 3,961 kWh per year from conversion to efficient LED lighting. In total, the identified equipment measures could potentially reduce electricity consumption by approximately 20,829 kWh per year, save around €6,497 annually, and avoid approximately 4.69 tonnes of CO₂e emissions based on the estimates contained in the report.