The venue says that it has reduced electricity consumption in the auditorium by as much as 60 per cent since it replaced it's Cantata profile units with the Philips Selecon SPX range of luminaires.
The move came after the venue hosted a fixture 'shoot out' in September last year where the Philips Selecon SPX range was pitted against a number of competitor brands.
"The decision was unanimous," says Simon Crick, Hall for Cornwall's head of operations. "The efficiency and brightness of the SPX was so much better than we had anticipated. The fixture delivers excellent, crisp light output - we found them brighter and more comfortable to focus than the other brands. They are also lightweight and thankfully rarely get too hot to handle."
Crick and his team purchased the SPX lamps just a few months ago yet already the reduction in energy costs is apparent.
"Like many organisations we are looking at every area of our work to try and reduce our energy costs," continues Crick. "The SPX has enabled us to reduce our energy costs, cut our carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions and at the same time improve the service that we provide to visiting companies - everyone's a winner."
With the news that Philips is allocating 2bn for investments in green innovation by 2015 - and the announcement that its cumulative green investments amounted to 1 bn last year - 'eco-friendly' is definitely a major part of the Philips vision.
Hall for Cornwall's installation of Philips Selecon SPX luminaires will make a considerable contribution to the year on year reduction in overall electricity consumption so far demonstrated by the venue over the past five years.
"Our audiences will be able to enjoy performances with improved lighting and there will be better facilities for artists," says Julien Boast, director at Hall for Cornwall. "The theatre is a very public space and our continual drive to improve financial viability and lower our carbon footprint helps secure the facility for the whole community."
The transfer to Philips Entertainment lighting is part of Hall for Cornwall's ambitions to become a greener theatre. Since 2005, the venue has reduced its overall energy consumption by 22 per cent.
(Jim Evans)
