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Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is the practice of using less energy to perform the same task or produce the same outcome, thereby eliminating energy waste and reducing overall consumption. It encompasses technologies, processes and behaviours that optimise energy use across industrial, commercial, agricultural and residential applications. In the business context, energy efficiency measures include upgrading equipment such as motors, pumps and lighting systems, implementing variable speed drives, improving insulation and building design, and adopting smart control systems. The concept is central to cost reduction strategies, as lower energy consumption directly translates to reduced operating expenses and improved competitiveness. Energy efficiency also plays a critical role in climate change mitigation by reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity generation and fuel combustion. In South Africa, energy efficiency has gained prominence as a response to electricity supply constraints, loadshedding and rising tariffs, with sectors such as mining, manufacturing and agriculture investing in efficiency upgrades. Government and regulatory bodies promote energy efficiency through standards, incentives and awareness programmes. The practice is distinct from energy conservation, which involves reducing energy services, whereas efficiency maintains or improves service levels while using less energy. Advances in digital monitoring, automation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution are enabling more sophisticated energy management and real-time optimisation. Energy efficiency is recognised as one of the most cost-effective pathways to achieving energy security, economic resilience and environmental sustainability.

Energy Efficiency News


M Bond Pumps Mega Electric Motors Online Official Logo
The IE3 electric motor illusion: Why premium efficiency cannot fix a bad system curve
Updated 3 hours ago

South Africa’s transition to the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) under the VC 9113 regulation is now an immediate reality. As of the May 30, 2026, deadline, the grace period for selling... 


Supplier ready to engage, showcase at WAMPEX
29th May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

As a global supplier of engineering solutions for minerals and mining applications, Weir is preparing to showcase its range of solutions for the mining sector at the West African Mining and Power... 


Daikin HVAC-R systems
Sustainability, urbanisation driving demand for efficient systems
29th May 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Demand for energy efficient heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration (HVAC-R) systems is increasing, owing to ongoing urbanisation and industrial development in developing economies,... 


An office space with ventilation ducts
AI integration enhances HVAC systems
29th May 2026

AI is becoming increasingly important in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions for the business-to-business sector, particularly for improving energy efficiency, operational... 


M Bond Pumps Mega Water Pumps Online Official Logo
Why solar and VSD upgrades fail without proper pump engineering
28th May 2026

South Africa’s industrial, mining and agricultural sectors are in the midst of a massive energy transition. Driven by grid instability and escalating tariffs, millions of rands are being poured... 


The retail industry’s next smart move must be data driven
The retail industry’s next smart move must be data driven
26th May 2026

By: Charles Coetzee - Buildings & C&SP Lead for Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Large-scale retailers operate with notoriously tight margins while managing some of the most... 


Image of a Solenco dehumidifier installed on an interior wall
Managing moisture in modern buildings 
22nd May 2026

Green building standards aim to make modern buildings more energy efficient and airtight. Older buildings are also increasingly being retrofitted to improve energy performance and insulation. While... 


timber testing lab
Timber leads bio-based shift
22nd May 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

Bio-based construction materials generally compare favourably with conventional materials in terms of embodied carbon, although performance varies in terms of material and application, says... 


image of dehumidifier in a room
Airtight buildings heighten moisture control challenges
22nd May 2026

Increasing airtightness in modern buildings is creating a growing moisture management risk that is not always addressed in design, says air treatment technology specialist Solenco. Buildings are... 


HEAT VISUALISATION
Vision AI uses continuous thermal surveillance to track temperature profiles in real time
AI camera system enhances furnace, boiler uptime
22nd May 2026 By: Keabetswe Shilakwe

As mining operations pursue reliability and energy efficiency, global refractory and industrial solutions provider DGC Africa is rolling out its Vision AI platform to turn camera infrastructure... 


Africa’s AI ambitions face critical infrastructure questions
18th May 2026

As artificial intelligence (AI) investment accelerates globally, Africa is increasingly being viewed as the industry’s next major growth frontier. But according to Steven Santini, Vice President... 


Electroheat Induction furnaces used in gold smelting
Technology improves energy efficiency in mine smelting furnaces
15th May 2026

Induction smelting furnaces are increasingly being used by refineries and gold- or silver-processing plant to recover precious metals from concentrates and precipitates. These systems combine... 


Magazine cover image
Strategic procurement and clean energy seen as key to manufacturing revival
8th May 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Decarbonisation and switching to renewable energy can be key drivers of competitiveness as local manufacturers seek to and remain competitive in a changing global landscape and increase capacity... 


An image of a train moving on rail tracks
Private sector to spur revitalisation
8th May 2026 By: Trent Roebeck

South Africa’s rail network infrastructure challenges continue to stifle economic competitiveness, sustainability and regional integration, and the network requires a complete revitalisation... 


Reliable drive, automation systems critical for agricultural operations
1st May 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Reliable drive and automation systems are becoming critical to maintaining productivity and efficiency across agricultural operations, where equipment is often required to operate in challenging... 


MetaleN
MetaleN
24th April 2026

Metal products supplier MetaleN manufactures heat exchanger tubes by combining different alloy inner tubes with various fin materials in a vast range of applications to effectively heat or cool... 


Delba Electrica
How DELBA is adapting to energy-efficient motor technologies
24th April 2026

Energy efficiency is now a strategic necessity in the rapidly changing industrial sector. As global demand for power continues to rise and environmental regulations become stricter, businesses... 


Image of an a person wearing a hardhat working on a laptop
Generative AI enhances insights into energy management systems
17th April 2026

Electrification and automation technology specialist ABB has integrated its generative AI solution, ABB Ability Industrial Knowledge Vault (IKV) with its ABB Ability Energy Management System (EMS).... 


Image of the outside and inside of a Kwikot Sirius gas water heater
Solar-ready gas water heater offers cost-effective alternative
9th April 2026

A new on-demand gas water heater designed to deliver reliable hot water while reducing energy consumption and operational costs has been launched by South African water heating solutions provider... 


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