Department of Energy
The energy department has announced that draft energy efficiency regulations designed to mandate efficient practices will be drawn up. The regulations will also deal with the supply of energy consumption data by consumers.
The announcement was made during a briefing by the department on the implementation of the national energy efficiency strategy to the national assembly’s energy committee.
The department also confirmed that the energy efficiency accord set up with the private sector is being revised. The review is being conducted through the national business initiative.
Presently, a draft document is being circulated amongst industry representatives.
The department pointed out, though, that the accord may no longer be necessary once the legislation on energy efficiency is in place and enforced.
The department also reported that a standard advisory body on energy had been established at the South African Bureau of Standards to render advice on standard issues with particular reference to energy efficiency and renewable energy.
Currently, a number of energy efficiency standards on various technologies are being developed. Included in the list of technologies are electric motors, household appliances, buildings and energy management.
A new website had also been launched that “aims to become the central information portal for energy efficiency information”. Information conveyed on the site includes reasons why energy needs to be saved, energy saving tips, background on energy role-players and a link to relevant media articles.
South Africa’s energy efficiency strategy was also under review. The strategy had been set up in 2005. It set a 12% energy savings target by 2015.
The review was being conducted under the auspices of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. It was hoped that the strategy would be tabled before cabinet before the end of the year.
The review will consider whether energy efficiency solutions could be introduced into industry, commercial buildings, the residential sector, the transport sector and the power sector.
The department also announced that the minister of energy has signed an agreement with the Swiss Development Corporation to fund the development of an energy efficiency monitoring system within the department.
Going forward, all key stakeholders had recently agreed on the need for a single and co-ordinated energy efficiency campaign. The institutional arrangements to bring this about had also been agreed upon.
Money has also been allocated to municipalities to implement energy saving interventions such as efficient lighting technologies.
Sabinet Cape Town Office
Post new comment