News
ISSUING OF SA ’ S FIRST
ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE
By the South African National Energy Development Institute ( SANEDI )
The issuing of this certificate is an energy-efficiency milestone achievement . SANEDI believes that the issuing of the first-ever Energy Performance Certificate ( EPC ) for a building in South Africa recently is a landmark achievement that will encourage energyefficiency across the board .
According to the International Energy Agency ( IEA ), buildings account for approximately 30 % of global energy consumption and 40 % of total direct and indirect CO 2 emissions . These figures could easily grow in Africa – and particularly in South Africa – due to increasing and rapid urbanisation .
On 18 February 2021 , the Admin B building at Stellenbosch University , which houses the vice chancellor and executive team , received the first-ever EPC for a building in South Africa , in recognition of its commitment to energy-efficiency .
Bluedust Engineering Solutions , Stellenbosch University ’ s energy management consultants , were instrumental in achieving their EPC . The EPC was issued by Energy Management and Verification Services ( EMVS ) who is the first inspection body accredited by the South African National Accreditation System ( SANAS ), to assess and issue an EPC rating for eligible South African buildings .
BACKGROUND TO EPCS In December last year 2020 , the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy ( DMRE ) passed into law a set of ‘ Regulations for the Mandatory Display and Submission of Energy Performance Certificates for Buildings ’.
EPCs are recorded by the South African National Energy Development Institute ( SANEDI ) which is an agency of the DMRE . SANEDI is specifically tasked with hosting and
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RACA Journal I May 2021 www . hvacronline . co . za