Amid national energy constraints and a mining sector set to contract, opportunity exists for South Africa’s mining sector to continue exploring cost-saving measures with improved energy efficiency. With mine production in the country having plummeted in April and May due to lockdown restrictions and a near total industry shutdown, boosted efforts to save energy and costs can improve the sustainability of this sector, which accounts for 8% of the country’s GDP.
The Residential Energy Consumption project is focused around the collection of residential energy consumption data. This data is based upon the types of electrical appliances and their end-use by individuals within the different Living Standard Measure (LSM) across South Africa. The appliance end-use data utilised within the Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning (LEAP) model for analysis, enabling policy makers with a better understanding and visibility of residential energy side. Furthermore, this project supports aspects of the review of the National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES) targets, together with the National Standards & Labelling Programme (S&L) impact assessment.