"The introduction of the National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES) by the government to achieve certain social, environmental and economic targets by 2015 is promoting energy efficiency and sustainable practices among businesses," said head of Energy & Environment at Frost & Sullivan, Cornelis van der Waal. "The NEES aims to improve energy efficiency by 15% in the commercial sector, which currently uses nearly 10% of the country's energy."
The commercial sector can begin by implementing simple measures such as monitoring lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning use, installing technologies like variable speed drives that have shorter payback periods, and using default energy-saving settings on computers. There is already a growing interest in the replacement of halogen light bulbs with more efficient light-emitting diodes. Using Eskom's demand side management programmes, which offer financial incentives for saving energy, real-time metering, training staff on energy efficiency, and planning energy management projects effectively, will enable organisations to use resources optimally.
Large commercial businesses in South Africa could further cut down on energy consumption by investing in efficient motors, water heating systems, proper building management, and regular maintenance. Conducting energy-saving audits will also help companies establish benchmarks and identify other areas in which they could save energy.
The lack of human capital with the skills to implement and maintain energy-efficient initiatives, however, prevents organisations from implementing energy management projects. The high capital cost of energy-efficient equipment too deters businesses. Finally, most commercial businesses still do not consider energy efficiency as a core function of their brand and operations.
"To ensure that energy efficiency becomes a culture in South Africa, large commercial businesses should invest in initiatives that positively influence the perception of energy consumers and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices," stated Van der Waal. "They could then implement projects that will optimise resources and be most profitable for their particular business."
