The importance of energy efficiency (Ms Ashanti Mbanga)

Описание: Serving as the vice chairperson for the South African Association for Females in Energy Efficiency, Ms Ashanti Mbanga is a sustainable energy champion with experience in the energy efficiency and clean transportation sectors. She has previously served in Provincial government- facilitating integrated and sustainable transport policy development. She later joined the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) to co-ordinate and implement the South African Low Carbon Transport Project, while gaining exposure to a broader portfolio of clean energy projects. Currently, Ashanti’s contribution to the energy sector has evolved to the management of the South African National Energy Development Institute’s Energy Efficiency Appliance Standards and Labelling (S&L) Programme. The S&L Programme focuses on developing energy efficient policies and tools for household appliances and creates public awareness to facilitate more sustainable consumer purchasing choices in the sector, with the aim of reducing overall residential energy consumption in South Africa. She is also passionate about work-place mentorship and promoting effective career development planning amongst youth members in the sector.

Background:
South Africa, unlike some other countries across the globe that are struggling with energy, began to experience the electricity crisis already in the last months of 2007. This crisis has continued to spread, with ongoing periods of widespread blackouts. The conditions became severe in September 2022 when our country experienced when about half of Eskom’s generating capacity collapsed. The population now knows the reasons for the collapse at the time, and for the ongoing crisis. Widespread and deep-seated corruption has been exposed at Eskom, South Africa’s national power utility, by whistleblowers, in the press and through the Zondo Commission hearings into State Capture. SA is struggling to rid itself of this ‘corruption pandemic’ (as it has been called). In the meantime, generation capacity continues to hover at 50%, infrastructure across the country needs refurbishment, replacement and maintenance; and load shedding continues unabated regardless of political measures aimed at addressing the problem. Studies have shown repeatedly that a major cause of the electricity crisis is poor investment in energy infrastructure over the last three decades.

Are there any lights at the end of the tunnels?
➢ Government’s plans
➢ Government and private sector working together
➢ Lowering demand of electricity: greater efficiency
➢ Lowering demand: transition in the home
➢ The potential of the transition to solar and wind energy
➢ The potential of nuclear energy
➢ The potential of the hydrogen economy
➢ The potential of biomass as a source of energy
➢ Is the Karpowership a good idea?

Purpose:
This Discussion Forum provides a platform for government officials, researchers, engineers and other professionals to share their insights about the current state of energy and electricity provision in SA. The discussions will highlight the impacts brought about by the energy crisis as well as possible solutions. The NSTF aims to raise awareness of:
• Scientific, evidence-based approaches to finding solutions for our country
• The importance of engineering expertise and skills to design and build the required solutions, do the necessary repair and maintenance, and ensure long-term solutions
• The need for innovation
• The urgency of finding immediate and long-term solutions to the electricity crisis