Energy-efficiency project saves King Shaka airport R2.7m
12 March 2015
King Shaka International Airport in Durban has reported electricity savings of 1.9 GWh
over three years – or the equivalent of R2.7-million – by implementing an energy
management system with the support of the National Cleaner Production Centre of
South Africa (NCPC-SA).
The amount of energy saved at the airport is enough to power 225 South African
middle-income homes for a whole year.
The airport, which is managed by state-owned Airports Company of SA (Acsa),
identified energy saving as one of its key business imperatives. It signed up for the
NCPC-SA's Industrial Energy Efficiency Project.
The NCPC-SA is a programme of the Department of Trade and Industry, hosted by the
CSIR. Its services are fully subsidised to enable companies to proactively comply with
South Africa's environmental policies, regulatory frameworks and standards, before
these become legislated.
Three projects undertaken at the airport
over three years have resulted in a total energy
saving of 1 932 576 kWh, which is valued at R2 761 249. With
a total investment of R40 0641, the estimated average payback period was 1.8
months. A reduction of 1 850 tonnes of carbon dioxide was achieved.
NCPC-SA provided training and assessment to King Shaka staff, helping the company to
develop and implement an energy management system.
Airport spokesperson Colin Naidoo said the real success behind the project was the high
returns on low- or zero-cost initiatives. The airport's financial investment was less than
a fifth of the savings gained.
The project has focused on reducing lighting demand throughout the airport, including in
the parkades, as well as improving the management of air conditioning.
Kevin Cilliers, NCPC-SA senior project manager in KwaZulu-Natal, said he believed the
success of the project was due to the enthusiasm of dedicated, responsible people to
improve energy
consumption.
"The support of top management is critical for a programme like this to succeed. Their
support also includes getting employees involved and excited about energy
management. ACSA has a number of sites throughout the country, so the learning and
successes can be shared with other airports," Cilliers said.
Cilliers adds that companies such as ACSA that decide to roll-out EnMS to other
branches or affiliates play an important role in extending the environmental and
financial benefits accrued through sustainable energy management strategies in South
Africa.
The Industrial Energy Efficiency Project is implemented by the NCPC-SA in partnership
with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation. It is funded by the South
African government through the Departments of Trade and Industry and Energy and
international donors, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs and the UK
Department for International
Development.
Source: CSIR
