Status on the Energy Audit for the Department of Foreign Affairs to determine the use of Energy, opportunities for reduction of energy use, consumption and material reduction in energy use since 1 January 2008

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY 

FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 972

PUBLISHED IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 16 OF 06 JUNE 2008

MR MJ ELLIS (DA) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:

1. Whether her department has conducted an energy audit to determine (a) use of energy and (b) opportunities for reduction of energy use; if not, why not; what are the relevant details;
   
   
2. Whether her department has any plans to reduce energy consumption; if not, why not; if so, what plans;
   
   
3. Whether her department has made any material reduction in energy use sin 1 January 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details.

REPLY:

1. Whether her department has conducted an energy audit to determine its:

a. Use of energy

The Department did conduct an audit and has found that it is possible for the Department to utilise energy more efficiently and to reduce energy consumption.  Opportunities for the reduction of energy use has been identified and is listed in par b. below.

b. Opportunities for reduction of energy use;  if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details

The opportunities identified are:

• To switch off lighting at 20h00 or when offices/areas are no longer in use and to switch on lighting at 06h00 daily. Furthermore to ensure that outside lighting (security lighting) are switched on only after sun-set, depending on the season (summer/winter), and switched off at sunrise.
• All geysers to be switched off permanently since normal daily activities do not require the use of hot water.
• Kitchen equipment, excluding refrigerators, will be switched off when not in use
• Offices/areas with individually controlled light switches will be switched off when office/area is not occupied, even during day time when office/areas are not occupied/used for an extensive period of time.  Similarly, loose standing electrical equipment i.e.:  fans, air-con units, heaters must also be switched off when office/area is not in use, or where the offices/areas are empty  for an extended period of time.
• Lighting in outside parking areas must be switched off at sunrise, and must only be switched on at sunset.
• Light bulbs are to be replaced with energy saving light bulbs.
• Lighting in offices/areas should, where possible, be reduced by removing some florescent light tubes or reducing lux levels.
• Air-conditioning systems plants are switched off at 20h00 and switched on at 06h00.
• It is also being considered whether computer equipment i.e. desk-tops and printers could be switched during week-ends

2. Whether her department has any plans to reduce energy consumption; if not, why not; if so, what plans

Based on the identified opportunities the Department has compiled an Energy Saving Strategy and is in the process of implementing it.

3. Whether her department has made any material reduction in energy use since 1 January 2008; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

The Department has embarked on is Energy Saving Strategy in April 2008 and material reductions in energy use will only be determined in the future.