Assessment of the potential to improve the energy efficiency of household appliances in South Africa

Abstract

Improving energy efficiency in the Residential sector is an important component of the South African National Energy Efficiency Strategy (NEES). This study characterizes the electrical energy consumption of household energy services and appliances, across three income groups, to review the NEES targets in terms of (i) appliance efficiency targets and (ii) likely savings compared to a Reference case where no substantial appliance efficiency improvements are made from 2020 onwards. The results indicate that a significant expansion of the current appliance Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) is required to achieve the NEES targets and that significant improvement in the aggregate annual energy intensity of appliances is possible if the MEPS is matched to best in class appliances available. A MEPS programme expansion should include both stricter standards as well as an expansion of the basket of appliances affected by this regulation. In the Reference case electricity consumption grows from 46 TWh in 2015 to 66.2 TWh in 2040. A moderate improvement of the current MEPS to match products already available on the market reduces consumption of electricity across all households by 1.5 % (0.8 TWh) in 2030 relative to the Reference case. A more aggressive improvement of the current MEPS to match the best in class products available on the market, as well as an expansion of the basket of appliances, reduces consumption of electricity across all households by 4.4 % (2.4 TWh) and 10 % (6.7 TWh) in 2030 and 2040 respectively relative to the Reference case. The appliances that show the greatest potential for savings are televisions, fridges, chest freezers and ovens.