Enigin Update - African Nations turn to Energy Efficiency for Growth
SOUTH African Development Community (SADC) Ministers are increasing efforts to promote economic development through energy efficiency to combat power shortages.
Africa accounts for only 6 percent of the world’s energy consumption and 3 percent of the electricity generated, despite making up 13 percent of the world population, with SADC representing most African states in the southern half of the continent, concern is growing over keeping pace with increasing energy demand from economic growth.
Ponatshego Kedikilwe, SADC Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, stated: “While progress is being made to ramp up access to modern energy [in Africa], the region is experiencing power shortages, which have negatively affected trade, industry and delivery of social services and is stifling general economic growth.”
Officials claim that energy shortfalls will continue, despite the region annually bringing into service new power sources. Over the last five years, more than 100 Mega Watts of extra power generation has been added annually to the regions power capacity, but due to the sustained economic growth, demand has surpassed supply.
Hence energy efficiency is vital to reduce the pressure on a hard-pressed power grid. Using energy wisely, reducing waste, will enable the economic growth to continue.
Monitoring and understanding what energy is being used is the first step to managing demand and costs and energy efficiency.
Across Africa Enigin Distributors are helping industry, commerce and the public sector to gain control of their energy needs through installing Enigin plc's Eniscope Real-time and Analytics, leading to reduced energy demand and costs.
Picture of SADC HQ2 in Botswana by Iulus Ascanius
