ESKOM has launched an attractive financial incentive scheme that rewards property developers for introducing energy efficient lighting into their developments over the next three years.
Hoping to drive rapid energy efficiency projects, the electricity utility will compensate companies for replacing traditional fixtures, re-lamping inefficient lamps and retro-fitting wasteful fixtures or lighting controls. “Eskom’s energy supply is still severely constrained and future demand will exceed supply unless energy consumers reduce their consumption,” says Andrew Etzinger, head of Eskom’s Integrated Demand Management initiative. “The local commercial property sector currently consumes up to 15% of Eskom’s energy output. Lighting accounts for a substantial portion of this and is estimated to be responsible for between 37% and 45% of electricity consumption in office buildings. It is therefore imperative that we work together with property developers and owners to reduce lighting consumption,” Etzinger says.
Under the scheme, known as Eskom’s Standard Offer Pilot Programme, the utility will pay developers specified amounts for verified reductions in energy consumption achieved through the installation of energy efficient lighting technologies.
