Case study · Retail

Betfred, multi-site rollout

A national bookmaker rolled out voltage optimisation across its estate, starting with a randomised 5-site trial. 15% average energy saving achieved, prompting full nationwide programme.

Install year
2021
Sector
Retail
Size
5-site trial · nationwide estate
15 %
Annual electricity saving
£3,353
Annual £ saving
Multi-site programme
Payback window
— t
CO₂ avoided per year

The site

What we were dealing with.

Betfred is one of the UK's largest independent bookmakers, established in 1967, with head offices in Birchwood, Warrington and a large portfolio of high-street premises nationwide.

Betfred identified voltage optimisation as a way to reduce energy consumption across the estate, cut electricity costs, and contribute to their green energy targets. Following an extensive search of the VO marketplace, Volta was selected on the strength of its blue-chip track record, production capacity, quality standards, and customer service.

A randomised 5-site trial was designed to provide defensible evidence of savings before committing to a full estate-wide rollout.

SectorRetail
Site size5-site trial · nationwide estate
Operating patternStandard trading hours, 7 days/week
Baseline voltage— V
Post-install voltage— V
Annual kWh saving— kWh

The install

What we did.

Five shops were selected at random from across the Betfred estate to form the trial cohort. Each received a VOH100 unit installed in series with the site's incoming supply.

The trial ran over a three-month monitoring period, with average daily kWh consumption measured and costs tracked at each site. The randomised selection ensured the trial was representative of the broader estate rather than cherry-picking high-performing sites.

The result

What we measured.

Average energy savings of 15 % were achieved across the five trial shops, delivering combined savings of £3,353 per year from just five sites.

Since installation, electricity consumption across the Betfred chain has reduced overall. CO₂ emissions have been reduced, bringing Betfred closer to meeting its carbon targets.

Reduced voltage spikes and fluctuations have extended the operational life of branch equipment, reducing maintenance costs. This is a secondary benefit that's particularly material across a large high-street estate where equipment replacement is a rolling opex line.

Measurement & verification method

Average daily kWh consumption logged across five randomly selected shops over a three-month monitoring period. Pre- and post-install consumption compared at each site individually, then averaged across the trial portfolio.

It was decided across the board that implementing a voltage optimisation project would effectively reduce our site voltages to a more desirable level, minimising stresses on branch equipment, reducing overall energy consumption and reducing the cost of our electricity bills.
Estates Manager, Betfred

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