S.Africa’s energy project IEE wins two prestigious awards over CO2 cuts

27 / 11 / 2019

By Marwa Nassar - -

The South Africa Industrial Energy Efficiency (IEE) project team received the highest recognition from the energy efficiency fraternity when it walked away with two awards when the Southern African Energy Efficiency Confederation (SAEEC) held its 14th conference on November 14.

Described by the SAEEC judges as one of the most successful projects of its nature in South Africa to date, the project has supported around 80 companies in saving 335 GWh of energy and 334.1 tons of CO2 equivalent between January 2016 and April 2018, translating to financial savings of R293.7 million. Cumulative savings since the launch of the project in 2010 amounts to R3.3bn (4,286 GWh and four tons of CO2 equivalent). To date, the project has supported six companies in obtaining ISO 50001 certification.

Currently in its second phase, the IEE project aims to accelerate and expand the introduction of Energy Management Systems, Energy Systems Optimization and the Energy Management Standard ISO50001 series within the South African industrial and selected commercial sectors.

Judges commended the project’s extensive training, practical application and continuous involvement with industry towards energy efficient practices, noting that the “effort required to implement a project of this magnitude cannot be underestimated”. A key focus of the project is capacity building; 5,300 professionals and 188 experts have been trained since its inception, with women making up a significant percentage of the trainees.

The IEE project was established in 2010 in response to the growing need to improve the energy efficiency of South Africa. It is funded by the Global Environment Facility with co-funding through South Africa’s Department of Trade and Competition, and is implemented by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA), the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and the South African National Energy Development Institute.

The IEE project won the prestigious 2019 Project of the Year award, while National Project Manager, Alfred Hartzenburg, received the 2019 Hall of Fame for Energy Efficiency Lifetime Award, which is the highest honor bestowed on an individual by the SAEEC.

Hartzenburg received the Hall of Fame award in recognition of his lifetime achievements in promoting the practices and principles of energy management. His career in the South African manufacturing sector included leadership roles in operations, logistics and general management over a period of 34 years. One of the best qualified professionals in the energy efficiency field, Hartzenburg successfully completed a range of specialized training courses presented by UNIDO and the Association of Energy Engineers.