Novo Nordisk and DONG Energy Share Experiences with Energy Savings
A partnership model has secured Novo Nordisk energy savings of close to DKK 50 million (US 9 million) as well as significant CO2 emission reductions. A new publication shows how it is done.
October 24, 2013 /3BL Media/ – The climate partnership between Novo Nordisk and DONG Energy has proved so valuable that its results deserve to be shared as inspiration for others. This is the rationale behind a new publication that shows how the six year partnership has led to reductions in carbon emissions and increased renewable energy supply.
The publication, A Business Partnership Driving Sustainability, tells how the collaboration has been structured and provides concrete cases that demonstrate how results have been achieved, including a technical portfolio that offers a guide to where the biggest energy savings typically can be found.
”Our partnership with DONG Energy has helped us achieve significant energy savings while also contributing to expanding the renewable energy capacity in Denmark,” says Susanne Stormer, vice president, Corporate Sustainability, Novo Nordisk. “The partnership is based on a sustainable business model that is commercially viable, takes a long-term perspective and creates value beyond both companies. We would like to share these experiences and hopefully inspire other companies to take action.”
Danish companies can cut up to 20% of their energy use
The publication shows that there is considerable savings potential in the Danish private sector. Companies are good at identifying possible energy savings, but find it difficult to carry them out.
”Our experience from more than 4,000 completed projects shows that there is a surprisingly large potential for optimising energy use. However, only limited savings are realised due to a lack of commitment, limited knowledge and an unstructured organisation of the effort among Danish companies,” says Torben Harring, Vice President, DONG Energy. “A great number of companies have potential to save 15-20% on their energy bill through investments with a payback time of less than 4 years, often even shorter, if the effort is orchestrated in the correct way.”
The publication offers several examples to how the work can be orchestrated in the most effective manner. In the partnership between Novo Nordisk and DONG Energy, commitment from top management and a long-term perspective have been some of the key success criteria. In this way, they have enabled support and motivation across the entire organisation.
Download the publication, A Business Partnership Driving Sustainability
About the climate partnership
The climate partnership agreement between Novo Nordisk and DONG Energy was signed in 2007. The partnership is built on a simple model that combines energy savings and the promotion of renewable energy. The partners have worked to implement energy efficiency improvements at Novo Nordisk’s Danish production sites. In 5 years, 370 energy-saving projects have been implemented resulting in annual energy savings of 87 million kWh corresponding to approximately. 20% of the electricity use in Denmark. The average payback time for the investment is 2 years. Novo Nordisk’s resulting financial savings are earmarked for the purchase of renewable energy certificates from DONG Energy’s wind farm, Horns Rev II. Today, DONG Energy has established similar partnerships with 140 companies, municipalities and organisations and is working to expand the model to the United Kingdom market.
About DONG Energy
DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. The company’s business is based on procuring, producing, distributing and trading in energy and related products in Northern Europe. DONG Energy has approximately 6,500 employees and is headquartered in Denmark. The Group generated DKK 67 billion (EUR 9.0 billion) in revenue in 2012. For further information, see www.dongenergy.com.
About Novo Nordisk
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 90 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within haemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. Novo Nordisk strives to conduct its activities in a financially, environmentally and socially responsible way. The strategic commitment to corporate sustainability has brought the company onto centre stage as a leading player in today’s business environment, recognised for its integrated reporting, stakeholder engagement and consistently high sustainability performance. In 2013, Novo Nordisk received the Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology industry group top ranking on Corporate Knight’s list of Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. For more information, visit novonordisk.com/sustainability or follow us @novonordisktbl.
