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| South
Africa
Highlights of the ELI-South Africa Program | Press Releases | Photo Gallery
RESIDENTIAL
EDUCATIONAL
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
OTHER
RESIDENTIAL Residential medium and upper market segment s One of the main deterrents for introducing energy efficient lighting technologies into the middle to higher income groups in South Africa, was the initial capital outlay required to purchase a CFL (around R75.00, or US$ 9 at a exchange rate of R8.5 per US$), when compared to an equivalent sized incandescent lamp. To overcome this barrier, BONESA initiated a subsidy or retail rebate to 'kick-start' or stimulate the sale of CFLs through a network of retail outlets in the country, resulting in huge quantities of lamps being sold and prices remaining stable at the lower price level, i.e. after the subsidy program expired. Poverty Relief and Efficient Lighting In the run-up to South Africa's 2000 local government elections, President Thabo Mbeki announced that all residential consumers with a combined monthly income of less than R800.00 (95 US$ at an exchange rate of R8.5 per US$) would be entitled to 50kWh of electricity and 6,000 litres of water "free of charge" on a monthly basis. The aim of this rebate was to help relieve poverty by providing some free basic services to South Africa 's poorest citizens. ELI staff developed an alternative to providing consumers with bill credits: providing them with two CFLS and a dedicated luminaire instead . Two pilot sites in the poverty-stricken Eastern Cape were allocated to ELI to determine the feasibility of opting for an efficient lighting - based solution to the problem. The pilot programs were very successful: not only did all the targeted consumers receive their CFLs, but the program also created jobs for unemployed local communities in the area. RDP housing and new electrification This project was aimed at introducing CFLs into the low income market in urban areas. The main barrier that led to the design and implementation this project was the initial high cost of CFLs and the lack of a distribution infrastructure in these areas. Some municipalities already provided new customers being connected to the electricity grid with a simple, low quality luminaire and an incandescent lamp. ELI provided consumers in those municipalities with a safer luminaire and a CFL. Rural distribution infrastructure development This project aimed at introducing CFLs into the low income market in rural areas. Prior to the program, there was no economically feasible distribution infrastructure existed for CFLs into rural areas; the cost of distribution per customer was more than ten times higher than for conventional distribution routes. The additional costs are attributable to the distance between customers, the lack of roads, the lack of communication infrastructure, high incidence of crime and violence, etc. ELI worked to establish a rural distribution infrastructure, resulting in the establishment of 'Energy Shops' throughout the country. ELI tested a new distribution channel for previously underserved rural areas in South Africa . ELI provided consignment stock and supporting public education material to a number of " Energy Shops " established by the government and various rural electrification concessionaires. An Energy Shop is a rural store that provides a comprehensive energy service, including the sale of all energy related appliances, that is, gas, paraffin, and electricity, to residents in the area. Bonesa delivered 10,000 CFLs to Energy Shops in selected areas, most of which were sold. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS Bonesa developed a curriculum for secondary school students (Grades 7-10) in the Natural Science classes. The curriculum introduced the general concept of energy efficiency and efficient lighting technology within the learners' curriculum under the Science & Technology learning area. The project further taught students about the economical and ecological impacts of technology in general and of energy efficient technologies in particular. The materials were developed coherently with the Education Department's Curriculum 2005 policy document and in support of the Outcome Based Education system. The curriculum provided both students and teachers with "real world" examples of energy-use behavioral effects to the environment and the economy. It was designed to promote lifelong energy efficiency practices among current and future electricity users, particularly young people. Participating schools were provided with teaching aid materials at a zero cost. Materials included comprehensive manuals, for both teachers and learners, on energy efficiency and efficient lighting, and lighting kits for class demonstration. Bonesa also developed an educational curriculum for academic institutes, e.g. tertiary institutes. The curriculum was designed to provide technical and factual efficient lighting information to engineering students who would later be in a position to specify lighting in buildings. The tertiary curriculum introduces the concept of energy efficiency and efficient lighting through a module in the engineering curriculum. It educates students about the effects of energy consumption on the environment and the economy. Bonesa established an implementation alliance with a credible engineering organization to increase the curriculum's credibility. The curriculum has been adopted by a number of South Africa 's technical and engineering programs.
Capacity building in the energy industry for commercial, industrial, public buildings , health care facilities and street lighting projects Bonesa teamed up with an Industrial Partner, Natal University, and the Energy Efficient Research Laboratory, to create a program for training electrical engineering students. The University on behalf of Bonesa applied to the Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP), for a 1:1 funding, whereby Bonesa contributed R300, 000.00 and THRIP contributed R300, 000.00. Bonesa's contribution came from the funds initially allocated to carry out the audits in these facilities. COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL Bonesa designed the commercial market program with the expectation that it would be the vehicle for ensuring ELI's sustainability in South Africa , with its tremendous potential for energy savings. The vast majority of commercial buildings in South Africa are 20 years and older and are fitted with outdated and inefficient technologies. These technologies have been maintained in their present state over the years and the opportunity presented itself to upgrade to newer and more efficient technologies such as Electronic Control Gear, T5 lamps, etc. Bonesa implemented a number of demonstration projects in conjunction with private companies (ESCOs), and the ESCOs continue to implement new lighting retrofits after ELI has officially ended. Bonesa implemented various pilot projects in the Industrial Sector in order to promote awareness and the long-term financial benefits when converting to energy-efficient lighting. In general, lighting in the industrial sector is a very small component of the overall energy use, on the order of 1%. Furthermore, the lighting is either very specialized or fit for purpose applications. This increases the payback period for lighting upgrades in this sector, so Bonesa decided to focus its attention where the largest impact existed, i.e. the potential in the mining industry, especially in the under ground tunnel network. The demonstration projects were successful, and a number of mines are continuing to retrofit their networks. Public buildings market segment Like the commercial program, Bonesa expected this program to be sustainable in the long-term and to be one with significant potential for energy savings. The low price of electricity in South Africa tends to be a barrier for the successful implementation of efficient lighting upgrades because the payback period is generally long. As in the commercial sector, the vast majority of public buildings in South Africa are 20 years and older, and they are fitted with outdated and inefficient technologies. Thus there were opportunities to upgrade to newer and more efficient technologies such as Electronic Control Gear, T5 lamps, etc. Bonesa targeted two major government buildings to demonstrate the benefits of efficient lighting: the head office of the Department of Minerals and Energy, and the National Electricity Regulator's premises. The results were significant, and DME is proceeding with retrofitting its other buildings. Bonesa also worked to retrofit various smaller government facilities such as schools and clinics. South Africa 's street lighting is generally old and poorly maintained. This is particularly the case in rural areas and previously disadvantaged urban areas. The poor street lighting infrastructure inadvertently contributed to an increase in crime levels. Because of the high maintenance costs of these inefficient technologies, Bonesa decided to upgrade the street lighting networks in two municipal areas to showcase the benefits of street lighting energy efficiency measures. The success of these retrofits has led to municipalities across the country undertaking street lighting retrofits . OTHER PUBLIC EDUCATION Each of the activities listed above was fully supported by relevant advertising and press releases to the national and trade media. However, a significant highlight of this component of the program was the support BONESA received and the linkage to the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, with ex-President Nelson Mandela himself officiating at the official launch of ELI in South Africa . These and other communication elements are reflected in different sections of this website. LUMINAIRE DESIGN COMPETITION In order to stimulate the design of a wider range of luminaries that are compatible with the physical dimensions of CFLs, Bonesa introduced a competition with two categories: students and professional designers. Manufacturers and component suppliers co-sponsored this activity and the winner in the student category has gone on to start his own business designing and manufacturing authentic African luminaries that accommodate only energy efficient lighting products.
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