• The donation seeks to retrofit and upgrade the current facility lighting design to drive energy efficiency at Geylang East and Chai Chee Nursing Homes
• FairPrice to mark Earth Hour 2022 by switching off non-essential lights at 8.30pm across stores, distribution centres and FairPrice Hub on 26 March 2022

SINGAPORE, 24 March 2022 – FairPrice Group (FPG) today announced a donation of $178,000 to help two nursing homes – Geylang East and Chai Chee Nursing Home – save energy. The announcement commemorates Earth Hour to raise awareness on climate change and to support efforts to reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint. 

“We all have a shared responsibility to nurture and protect our environment. As a responsible retailer, we are committed to sourcing sustainably wherever possible to safeguard natural resources for future generations, and this includes reducing our environmental footprint through various initiatives and campaigns. This donation will not only provide greater energy savings for both homes, it will also contribute towards the national agenda to collectively reduce our emissions,” said Mr Jonas Kor, Director, Corporate Communications, FairPrice Group. 

Singapore had previously announced a pledge to reduce the country’s Emissions Intensity by 36 per cent by 2030, and stabilise emissions with the aim of peaking around 2030.

Details of the Retrofitting Project

Estimated to complete by the end of April 2022, the retro-fitting and upgrading works consist of the replacement of 2,681 fluorescent lights with LED lights and the installation of 340 motion sensor lights across both nursing homes which are operated by NTUC Health.

With the changes in place, it is estimated the annual energy savings across the two nursing homes will amount to over 100,000kW. This is equivalent to the average annual electricity consumption of 21 HDB four-room flats^[1]. Given recent reports on rising energy costs, the savings in utility bills will also allow both nursing homes to channel the funds towards other purposes to benefit their residents.

Mr Sim Tan Rui, Senior Manager, Operations, NTUC Health said, “Thanks to ​FairPrice Group’s sponsorship of new LED lights for our NTUC Health (Chai Chee) Nursing Home, we are looking at electrical cost savings of up to 20% as compared to fluorescent lights. These LED lights have a longer lifespan, are brighter, and less ​​strenuous on the eyes of our residents and staff. Our residents are pleased to have new LED headboard lights which are easily controllable from their beds and more comfortable to read with at night.”

The donation is part of FairPrice’s Sustainability Fund, which was launched in 2019. The Fund was established to address sustainability and environmental issues through awareness and public education, support innovative ideas and initiatives as well as foster strategic partnerships.

FairPrice’s participation in Earth Hour 2022

On 26 March 2022, all FairPrice stores, distribution centres and FairPrice Hub will switch off all non-essential lights at 8.30pm in support of Earth Hour. FairPrice has been supporting Earth Hour since 2009 as part of its ongoing efforts to raise awareness on sustainability.

As an environmentally conscious retailer, FairPrice will continue to set an example and raise awareness in creating a sustainable community, by embarking on various eco-friendly initiatives. Organisations that are keen to tap on FairPrice’s Sustainability Fund, can write to csr@fairprice.com.sg

[1] Tabulated based on average electricity usage data for 2020 available here https://www.ema.gov.sg/singapore-energy-statistics/Ch03/index3