The new energy efficiency (EE) building regulations that come into effect next month would boost the manufacturing sector, as well as the South African economy, Trade and Industry Minister Dr Rob Davies said this week.

The EE regulations would be the first for South Africa and would require that all new buildings, whether it be homes, industrial buildings, hotels or schools meet minimum EE requirements. The EE regulations would be enforceable in terms of the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act.

“The EE building regulation requirements stipulate that new buildings would have to have solar water heaters, heat pumps or similar technologies. Ceilings, walls and windows would have to meet minimum requirements for preventing heat loss in winter, or heat gain during summer, in order to meet the EE targets. Buildings will also have to be fitted with energy efficient heating, air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems,” Davies said at the South African Bureau of Standard convention held at Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand.

Davies added that the EE regulations would contribute positively towards government’s goal of creating five-million jobs by 2020.

He also said that opportunities would be created in the manufacturing sector, as well as the installation services industry when government produce and install one-million solar water heaters by 2014/15. “If we achieve this, we expected to create around 18 000 jobs,” said Davies.

The EE building regulations would also contribute to the drive to use electricity in a more sustainable manner, encourage industrial development through sector support and ultimately create more jobs. It would also contribute to South Africa’s green industry and climate change mitigation initiatives.