Skip to content
Mitie works with Vodafone UK to reduce its carbon footprint by 25,000 tonnes and save 100GWh of energy in three years
- Mitie has helped Vodafone UK achieve energy savings worth over £10 million
- Range of energy management solutions key to the savings
- Rapid hibernation of buildings during lockdown helped minimise energy usage
Mitie has today announced that it has supported Vodafone UK in reducing its carbon footprint, saving 100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of energy, equivalent to 25,000 tonnes of CO2, in just three years. The energy saved could power a town with a population of 65,000 people for a year and represents a financial saving of around £10 million. The energy savings were achieved by optimising heating and cooling systems in offices and managing air flow to keep technical sites cool in the most energy efficient way; and were validated by third-party energy auditor EEVS.
Mitie worked with Vodafone UK to deliver the savings as part of its Energy Performance Contract. So far, Mitie and Vodafone have audited 90 of Vodafone’s buildings, including offices, contact centres, data centres and Mobile Telephone Exchange (MTX) network sites, to assess energy usage and ensure efficiencies.
The audits checked that a building’s lighting, heating and air conditioning systems were operating at the highest energy efficiency rating. At more complex locations, such as data centres and MTX (mobile telephone exchange) network sites, where 24/7 power is essential to keep the network running, sensors providing real-time data were used to identify energy saving opportunities. For example, temperature sensors in data centres enabled the airflow to be automatically adjusted up or down remotely, ensuring the correct environment for this critical equipment in the most energy efficient way.
In offices and call centres, sensors in air conditioning systems enabled ‘dynamic controls’ so the air temperature could be managed remotely and at speed dependent on weather and conditions. Mitie had already supported Vodafone in reducing the number of buildings it opened at weekends and on bank holidays, making significant energy savings. During the Covid-19 lockdown, all but essential technical staff were moved to home working, meaning more buildings could be hibernated.
Mitie and Vodafone will continue to assess Vodafone’s buildings to identify further energy saving opportunities.
Pradyumna Pandit, Managing Director, Sustainability and Energy Services, Mitie, said:
“This landmark energy saving – and staggering 25,000 tonne reduction in CO2 emissions – was made possible thanks to the collaboration between Mitie and Vodafone UK teams. Thank you to our energy managers, sustainability experts, and colleagues on the frontline, who have all contributed to this achievement. We’re proud to be helping UK businesses achieve ambitious environmental targets and look forward to continuing our work with Vodafone UK to help it meet its next energy reduction goal.”
Scott Petty, Chief Technology Officer at Vodafone UK, said:
“Not everything we’ve done here is revolutionary; we’ve achieved these staggering savings by doing the basics well and making energy reduction something we think about each and every day. Combined with our commitment to power our network with 100% renewable electricity by 2021 – and help our customers reduce their own carbon footprints with our connectivity and Internet of Things technology – this will ensure we are helping to build a more sustainable future.”
In February, Mitie launched Plan Zero, its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2025 and supporting its clients in reaching their own sustainability targets. Mitie has worked with Vodafone UK for 10 years, providing integrated facilities management including cleaning, security, engineering, landscaping and front of house services to all of its sites across the country.
Read next
Mitie launches new service helping businesses reach Zero Carbon for Zero Cost
As the nation prepares to get Britain Back to Business and lockdown restrictions begin to ease, organisations across the UK are considering how they can prepare for a ‘new normal’ way of operating. To support those planning a return to workplaces, Mitie Energy has launched a new Zero Carbon for Zero Cost service to help businesses drive a green recovery, as part of its Plan Zero commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2025.
Mitie launches Plan Zero with a commitment to reach zero carbon by 2025 in FM industry first
Mitie has launched its new industry-leading ‘Plan Zero’ commitment, pledging that it will reach net zero carbon emissions by 2025.
Mitie to share electric vehicle expertise with new Plan Zero Fleet Transition Service
As businesses across the country seek to set new ways of working, many are re-focusing on their net zero targets and supporting the nation’s green recovery. With transport generating the largest volume of CO2 in the UK, at 34% of the UK’s CO2 emissions*, transitioning to a zero-emission fleet is the obvious place to start.