SANEDI believes that the issuing of the first-ever Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for a building in South Africa recently is a landmark achievement that will encourage energy efficiency across the board. According to the International Energy Agency buildings account for approximately 30% of global energy consumption and 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions. … [Read more...]
Load shedding here to stay: energy efficiency vital
While South Africans celebrate the lifting of many Covid-19 restrictions and the full reopening of the economy, the news is not all good as Eskom has reported a severely constrained power system, resulting in continued load shedding. This latest round of load shedding comes as ten generation units at seven power stations have suffered breakdowns in the last 48 hours. “These … [Read more...]
Providing clean, safe water to protect human health
The provision of safe water, sanitation and hygienic conditions is essential for protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks including COVID-19. SANEDI (South African National Energy and Development Institute) is partnering with the Department of Defence (DoD) for a Water Treatment Works project at the SANDF Air Force Base in Hoedspruit in the Maruleng … [Read more...]
Improve your energy efficiency this winter while keeping warm
South Africans can keep warmer, save money, and take pressure off the national grid by implementing simple low-cost energy saving measures. This call from Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications at SANEDI, (the South African National Energy Development Institute). “While South Africa has passed the winter equinox, meaning our days … [Read more...]
Eco awareness leads to award recognition for Sea Point hotel
Having previously made headlines for their industry-leading water conservation efforts, the hotel is once again pioneering environmental sustainability and responsibility, having received the ECO Proud/ECO Excellent Status Award. As part of the Dream Hotels & Resorts group, The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel is the first recipient of the award after the implementation of a … [Read more...]
Deadline extended for Eco-Logic Awards
The time has come for the Eco-Logic Awards 2015. Through these awards, The Enviropaedia recognises and honours organisations and individuals that provide products or services that nurture Planet Earth. Due to the rising popularity of the awards, the deadline for entries has been extended to 14 August. Be sure to tell them about your green activities, project, business or … [Read more...]
Don’t let load shedding spoil your holiday
Load shedding is a fact of life for the foreseeable future in South Africa and a little planning and creativity can alleviate a lot of the unpleasantness during the holidays. This is according to Evan Schiff, event director of the annual African Utility Week and Clean Power Africa conference and expo in Cape Town. Higher electricity prices in South Africa have become an … [Read more...]
Blooming renewables in South Africa
Due to the increasing threat of climate change, the key role that energy plays in the interactions between societies and resources towards a sustainable development has gained broad attention. As renewable energy sources (RES) become more competitive in relation to other energy sources, they create another opportunity to attract additional investments in favour of a greener … [Read more...]
Growing the international energy efficiency community
The international energy efficiency community is growing. And in South Africa are 6% of the world's total certified energy efficiency professionals. At the Energy Training Foundation’s (EnTF) annual Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) Certification Ceremony held this month another group of energy professionals received international recognition in the energy efficiency … [Read more...]
Most energy efficient buildings announced
Each year building owners and facility managers enter their buildings in the National Energy Barometer Survey (NEBS) to compare how they have improved their energy use against others in a similar industry – hospitals, offices, car dealers, hotels and shopping centers. The latest results are out and the top performing buildings for the 2012 utility year are: Head office: The … [Read more...]
How to save on tax through your energy efficiency
A special tax incentive to save energy was promulgated on 1 November, but how does that work? We are talking about the “Regulations in terms of Section 12L of the Income Tax Act, 1962, on the allowance for energy efficiency savings.” The allowance is for the purpose of determining the taxable income derived by any person from carrying on any trade in respect of any year of … [Read more...]
Claiming for energy efficiency savings
The long awaited tax allowance for energy efficiency savings was promulgated in December 2013. How do we go about claiming an allowance for energy efficiency savings, what is claimable and what not according to the National Treasury, Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962? The effective date was notified as 1 November 2013 and is set to provide impetus to the development of the … [Read more...]
Directing action to maximum energy savings and funding
Why is energy efficiency internationally supported as the preferred solution for economic sustainability? In a recent survey done by Ernst and Young (E&Y), almost 40% of large corporations in the world see energy costs rising over the next 5 years, with expected increases of at least 15% for the time period. In South Africa, since 2008/2009 the average increase … [Read more...]
