Pretoria - While energy efficiency is recognised as one of the most cost effective ways of improving energy security, cooperation with all players -- including the private sector -- is necessary to address South Africa’s energy challenges.
Speaking on behalf of Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson at the Private Sector Energy Efficiency conference, the Department of Energy’s Deputy Director General: Energy Policy and Planning, Ompi Aphane, said cooperation and partnerships between all players is necessary if the country is to succeed in addressing its energy challenges.
“Energy efficiency is recognised as one of the most cost effective ways of improving energy security and shifting towards a low-carbon development,” said Aphane on Monday.
In accordance with the 2005 National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES), a national energy efficiency improvement target of 12% reduction in energy intensity was set to be achieved by 2015. This overall national target is divided into sub-targets for each sector, including the public and commercial building sector at 15%.
“However, the achievements of these targets have not been monitored by a recognised energy efficiency monitoring system, although a monitoring methodology was developed in 2005,” said Aphane.
The Deputy Director General said several initiatives have been put in place to ensure energy efficiency, including the Industrial Energy Efficiency programme that is an initiative between the Departments of Energy and Trade and Industry and Business Unity South Africa.
Aphane said the department is aware of the funding constraints for energy efficiency programmes.
“We are aware of the funding challenges that beset the programme and we need to continue exploring all the options to sustain it.”
He said it is the responsibility of government, civil society, the private sector and the public at large to change how things are done in the implementation of energy saving programmes.
The Department of Public Works has, for example, started implementing the Green Building Programme to support the implementation of energy saving programmes.
“Achieving this energy saving potential will require a change in behaviour and above all, a change in policy direction and the application of good practices at all levels of the energy value chain.
“The gazetting of the Energy Efficiency Tax Incentive Regulations - in terms of the Income Tax Amendment Act, 2013 - will allow the private sector to claim tax rebates through the implementation of these energy savings measures,” said Aphane.
Investment in infrastructure
Aphane said a lack of timely investment in infrastructure has created serious challenges, particularly in the power sector. This, he said, is receiving the highest priority for urgent resolution.
“The ability to provide adequate funding required for investments in energy efficiency has become a critical issue.”
In addition, the problem of load shedding has underscored the importance of saving energy.
“We need to isolate the factors that inhibit efficient energy usage and provide a framework of incentives, disincentives and possible interventions that could be implemented,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
