- Organisation profiles

Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) - South Africa

Contact details

Email: info@...
Tel: (021) 789 2920
Fax: (021) 789 2954
Website: www.sustainable.org.za

Main contact person

Contact: Leila Mahomed
Email: Leila@...

Background, mission and goals

Promotes sustainable energy approaches and practices in the development of South Africa. Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) is an organisation, which promotes sustainable energy approaches and practices in the development of South Africa through research, capacity building, information dissemination, practical projects, lobbying and networking.

Examples of past successes and experience

Urban SEED Project (Phase 2) - CURRENT

The Sustainable Energy for Environment and Development (SEED) Programme is now in its 2nd year of Phase 2. The programme is proceeding well, with SALGA (SA Local Government Association), City of Joburg, Cape Town, Development Action Group and the GreenHouse all employing SEED Advisors and Department of Housing and Department of Minerals and Energy having staff members who are SEED Links. Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Buffalo City are all keen to become part of the programme and have their own SEED Advisors as are a number of other cities - we have taken an in principal decision that the SEED programme should be extended to Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) cities where requested, possible and if the funds can be raised for this. It seems very worthwhile to support the CCP cities using the SEED strategy as it would be a great pity to loose the potential of this initiative.

As part of the SEED initiative, SEA has worked extensively on the Local Authority Energy Strategy for Cape Town (partly funded by SEED and by CCT) and we have we have completed the State of Energy Report which includes an outline Energy Strategy and Way Forward - we are in discussions with CCT on taking this forward (more on this in the LAES section). The Cape Town Energy Strategy is the "flagship" for further work with the SEED partners and others in this area. We have started work with SALGA on developing a strategy of how the LAES can be extended to other cities and towns in South Africa.

Through SEED, SEA continues building on our relationships with synergistic programmes and organisations such as South African Cities Network, ICLEI (CCP campaign), South African Climate Action Network, South South North (SSN) and the Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Programme. (Total value Phase 2 (2001 to 2004): R 5 534 077)

City Energy Strategies Conference - CURRENT

SEA proposed and raised the funds for the City Energy Strategies Conference which will take place from 19 to 21 November this year at the Cape Town Convention Centre. It is mainly funded by Danida and will be co-hosted by SEA, South African Cities Network and CCT, in association with ICLEI and SALGA ( Value R625 000). It is intended to launch the African Energy Cities Network at the Conference.

Local Authority Energy Strategy (LAES)- CURRENT

The State of Energy Report has been completed as the first step in the LAES, and provides the 'energy picture' for the Cape Town Metropolitan area. It gives the background and direction for the development of the Cape Town Energy Strategy, which is a component of the City of Cape Town's Integrated Metropolitan Environmental Policy (IMEP). The energy picture is based on often incomplete or old data and information, and as such also identifies gaps and further areas of investigation. Energy plays a central role in the functioning of cities. South African cities are, however, very new to the current energy debate and have focused primarily on electricity distribution with little to no coordination across related energy issues.

A local energy strategy will help to institutionalise sustainable energy approaches and practices at the local level, within a framework that has a clear vision and direction. It enables the co-ordination of ad-hoc energy projects and activities, and helps to integrate energy objectives into relevant CCT functions and programmes. It can lead to improved service delivery, save money, improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The development of the Energy Strategy comprises several steps. The first step - the State of Energy Report - gives a picture of the 'state of energy' in Cape Town, and has been completed. It also highlights issues that arise from the energy picture and prioritises these issues. As a part of developing this State of Energy Report, a workshop was held with a group of energy experts, and the results incorporated. The second step, the development of a proposed Energy Vision, Goals and Measures, has been undertaken in draft form. Planned next steps include a public participation process and sectoral energy strategy development. (Value R73 000)

Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Campaign - CURRENT

SEA has been contracted by the City of Cape Town to achieve the milestones of the CCP campaign:

Conduct emissions inventory and forecast
Set emissions reduction goal
Develop emissions reduction action plan
Implement emissions reduction actions
Monitor results achieved

The greenhouse gas emission inventory has been completed, and currently in a draft format with the CCT. The results from the inventory has been presented to the CCT in October 2002 The emission results reported guided the selection of reduction measures and will inform the development of a local action plan.

The results and experiences of the CCT in the CCP campaign have been presented at the CCP National Workshops (Buffalo City in July 2002, eThekwini in February 2003). SEA assisted the CCT in arranging the 4th National CCP workshop in Cape Town in November 2002 and to host the ICLEI intern from Canada. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (Directorate: Climate Change and Ozone Layer Protection) is considering expanding the CCP campaign beyond the current eight cities and requested to CCP campaign in CCT to provide feedback on their learning's'.

The CCP campaign has also provided data and contact details for the LAES State of Energy Report.

The project which have been selected using criteria include:

Retrofit of council-owned vehicles with LPG
Implementing recommendations from SEA Energy Audit of Tygerberg Administration Buildings
Feasibility study of Bicycle Lanes and Infrastructure
Awareness programme with council employees

(Value - R80 000)

Tygerberg Administration Buildings (Parow) Energy Audit and Retrofit - CURRENT

As a part of the CCP programme, Cape Town has embarked on various projects to reduce the city's carbon footprint. One such is being undertaken by SEA - Energy retrofit of the Tygerberg Administration buildings. CO2 savings of around 160 tons/year are anticipated as a result of implementation. (Value: R 74 908)

Sustainable Living Centre (SLC) - CURRENT

The Sustainable Living Centre (SLC) is an internet-based business which promotes sustainable living practices through sustainable goods supply and information dissemination. The objective of the SLC is "to promote sustainable living amongst individuals, households and business in Southern Africa via the provision of relevant information, goods and other services, in an efficient, user-friendly and financially viable manner." A basic website is up and running, and purchases from the general public are steady but slow. The following is needed to boost the operation: (1) additional media coverage (2) a physical store. The SLC may link with the City in providing energy efficiency goods to mid- to high income households as a part of the Local Authority Energy Strategy.

SLC is not a funded project, but it is intended that it will fund itself through the sale of goods in future. It is not in this position yet.

CFLs Workshop - COMPLETED

SEED promotes energy efficiency and safe use of appropriate energy sources and technologies amongst households, NGOs and local authorities in urban areas. In the course of its promotion of energy efficient lighting, the issue of household disposal of CFLs arose. To this end in July 2002 Bonesa agreed to sponsor a workshop co-ordinated by SEA that would bring together key role players in the hope of finding sustainable solutions to the disposal of CFLs in South Africa. Bonesa co-ordinates the 3-year Efficient Lighting Initiative in South Africa and seeks to transform our lighting market through the promotion of energy efficient lamps and luminaries.

A full day multi-stakeholder workshop was held on 1 August 2002, in Gugulethu, Cape Town with the ambitious aim to define a framework that would initiate a strategy and a pilot project to deal with the disposal of CFL's in an environmentally sound manner, which best meets the needs of all stakeholders. Twenty-three participants attended but unfortunately the primary manufacturers of energy efficient light bulbs did not attend.

There was a high level of participation with many good ideas being generated. Unfortunately it was difficult to pin down a specific solution in the absence of national hazardous waste policy. It was agreed that Bonesa will approach the manufacturing companies to gain their support and commitment to an action implementation strategy. South Africa could provide a model for other countries facing the same challenge, (SA will be the first of 7 ELI countries implementing CFL programmes, to initiate a safe disposal initiative). In August 2002 the workshop report: "Responsible Disposal of Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (Cfl's) Initial Think Tank Workshop Report" was sent to all relevant stakeholders. (Value R17 430.60)

Sustainable Waste Projects for Institutions: Medical Waste - COMPLETED

The Waste Wise campaign (Formally Mess Action Campaign 21 [MAC21]) of the City of Cape Town launched a number of interventions aimed at impacting on the problems of solid waste management facing the City of Cape Town. One component of these interventions was to test the viability of introducing waste minimisation practices in certain key institutions within the City. One of Waste Wise' service providers, Fairest Cape Association [FCA] contracted Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) to test a waste minimisation intervention with an institution in the City.

The key outputs of the project were identified as:

Investigation into, and selection of, an institution to pilot a sustainable waste management strategy in accordance with the objectives of the Waste Wise project.
Development of a project proposal for implementation by a selected institution in consultation with relevant stakeholders

A document (Sustainable Waste Minimisation Project For Institutions - Background and description of the Waste Wise Campaign work completed in the SANDF bases around the City of Cape Town) completed in July 2002, details the process and recommends initiating the campaign in the SANDF. It also includes a business plan for the way forward. (Value: R 80 000)

Market analysis of the SME energy sector: Energy paper - COMPLETE

The Shell Foundation is seeking to establish a fund to provide attractive commercial financing for black SMEs which further their overall goal of 'promoting modern energy services for the poor'. SEA was requested to undertake the necessary energy-related research and analysis to orientate this fund and identify initial opportunities and constraints. The work was undertaken with the Small Business Project - a Johannesburg-based consultancy.

7. Overall institutional structure

Sustainable Energy Africa (Association incorporated under Section 21) - abbreviated as 'SEA' - registration number 2000/028082/08, was registered with the Registrar of Companies on the 7th November 2000.

The following directors are currently in office: Mark Borchers (executive) Sarah Ward (executive) Leila Mahomed (executive)

GENERAL

SEA supports the 'quadruple bottom line' principle:

being financially sustainable
being environmentally responsible
promoting quality of working life of employees
undertaking socially responsible work relevant to the broader community

Annual Budget: Income is project based as reflected in the project section

Other details

The City Energy Strategies Conference will be held 19 - 21 November 2003 in Cape Town. This conference will be a first for the African continent. The conference will be hosted by the South African Cities Network (linked to the Cities Alliance), Sustainable Energy Africa and the City of Cape Town, in association with ICLEI and SALGA and with the endorsement of UNEP. Using international and local experience, this conference aims to inspire and enable local authorities in South Africa to develop their own Energy Strategies as part of their city development plan and provide useful information in a practical way. While the conference focus is on South African cities, the conference will also be an opportunity for municipalities from other African countries to showcase their energy initiatives and to learn from the work of other cities.

Pagename: :SEASouthAfrica