- Organisation profiles

International Institute for Energy Conservation - Africa (IIEC-Africa)

Contact details

IIEC Africa
62 A Fifth Avenue, Melville, Johannesburg, 2092
Tel: +27 (0)11 482 5990 Fax: +27 (0)11 482 4723
Web: www.iiec.org

Main contact person

Mr Jason Schaffler
Email: jschaffler@...

Background, mission and goals

International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC) IIEC is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization, with headquarters in Washington DC, established to foster the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy in developing countries and countries in transition.

IIEC's mission is to accelerate the global adoption of energy efficiency and renewable energy policies, technologies and practices to enable economic and environmentally sustainable development. IIEC pursues this mission in developing countries and countries in transition through fieldwork undertaken by its regional offices in Europe (United Kingdom), Asia, (Thailand, India, China and the Philippines) and Africa (South Africa).

IIEC now has full time local staff in each of its regional offices that are well placed to contribute to regional programs due to their extensive exposure to energy activities in the region and their understanding of cultural issues relevant to the countries. With more than 15 years of experience, IIEC has developed a reputation for being on the "cutting edge" of the sustainable energy development field.

Approach, organisational programmes and activities:

IIEC's approach has always been based on long-term commitment on the ground, through our regional offices. IIEC has established a niche as a solutions provider with the flexibility to work simultaneously with multilateral institutions, governments, academic and research organisations, industry, and non-governmental organizations. As an organization with proven technical capabilities, IIEC develops policies and designs programs that promote energy efficiency. IIEC's policy work involves key policymakers in our target countries as well as the bilateral and multilateral institutions that help to shape energy policy and energy investment priorities globally. In Asia, Latin America and Africa, IIEC has actively participated in innovative programs that are redefining national development strategies.

Main Areas of Activity

Through its global network of seven offices, IIEC works with governments and the private sector to develop, implement, and evaluate energy-efficiency policies, programs, and projects. Specific services that IIEC provides to its clients include:

End-Use Efficiency
DSM Planning and Evaluation
Market Transformation
Energy Efficiency Standards and Labeling
Renewable Energy
Energy Efficiency Financing
Climate Change and Energy Policy
DSM in a Restructured Utility Sector

Examples of past successes and experience

RURAL ELECTRIFICATION, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND GREENHOUSE GAS MITIGATION : An Assessment of Opportunities and Barriers in South Africa

Currently, only 46% of rural South African households have access to electricity, compared to some 80% of all urban households. To address this imbalance, the South African government has embarked upon an ambitious non-grid rural electrification program. This program offers a unique opportunity to expand the use of climate-friendly renewable energy technologies, while also improving the lives of South Africa's rural population. Although it would appear that carbon offset structures could position renewable energy technologies more competitively, few of South Africa's planned rural electrification projects have attempted to incorporate climate change investment into their business case planning. This study assesses the barriers to, and potential opportunities from, structuring of carbon offset investments in planned rural electrification activities in South Africa, and attempts to quantify the magnitude of potential benefits to both project developers and rural communities of such linkages. Two case studies will be examined in depth: a large solar home system electrification initiative in KwaZulu Natal, and a rural wind power project in the Western Cape. For more information about this project, please e-mail Glenn Hodes at ghodes@...

FACILITATING LARGE SCALE RESIDENTIAL DSM IN THE LOW INCOME SECTOR IN SOUTH AFRICA

IIEC-Africa's strong foundation in low-cost housing and energy efficiency has enabled new activities to support residential demand side management scale up pilots. IIEC is supporting Eskom, South Africa's power utility, to run a 4,000 home pilot of new, high efficiency water heaters in the low-to-middle income housing sector. The pilot will be a large-scale demonstration of both the technology and load management control techniques relating to water heating. IIEC recognizes a pent-up demand for systematic, safe, affordable and efficient water heating in the low and middle-income sectors in South Africa. IIEC is working with Eskom to liaise with new housing developments, municipal housing planners, and others in the construction industry to realize this mass scale pilot in 2001 - 2002.

Overall institutional structure

IIEC is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization. It has a head office in Washington DC, and a number of regional offices in developing countries and countries in transition such as South Africa for Africa. Regional offices have local staff so that they can be able to undertake fieldwork which is relevant to local circumstances.

Pagename: :IIEC-AfricaSouthAfrica