Schneider Electric played host the Driving Energy Efficiency in Buildings event, presented by the French Embassy in South Africa, the French South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FSACCI), Business France, Les Conseillers du commerce extérieur de La France, EDF, Saint Gobain and the Green Building Council South Africa

The event, held at Schneider Electric’s head office in Midrand, Johannesburg, aimed to bring together stakeholders to discuss the country and indeed the world’s environmental challenges and how improving building energy usage can play a vital role in the country’s energy transition.

Driving Energy Efficiency in Buildings featured numerous insightful presentations:

Opening remarks by the Gauteng Department of Social Development, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment MEC Mbali Hlophe, and the French Head of Mission. Arnaud Roux.

Building legislation and certifying buildings by Mthobisi Masinga from the Green Building Council of South Africa 

An overview of Ministry of Ecological Transition’s public policies on energy efficiency by Regis Meyer.

Enabling Energy Efficiency in Buildings - how to transform a building to be energy efficient with Saint-Gobain by Jean-Claude Lasserre, CEO of Saint-Gobain Africa.

“Driving this initiative shows France’s commitment in strengthening the partnership between France and South Africa when it comes to energy efficiency, not only in buildings but also playing a role in South Africa’s energy transition,” says Arnaud Roux, Chargé d’affaires at the French Embassy in South Africa.

Thabang Byl, Digital Energy Lead at Schneider Electric, highlighted how active control and monitoring of energy flows can make buildings more efficient. “In many buildings, as many as 90% of energy devices are not connected to monitoring software.  By ensuring that we connect these devices, we can accurately measure and manage buildings’ energy usage, greatly improving energy efficiency,” he commented.

The Driving Energy Efficiency in Buildings event aimed to provide a platform to:

• Discuss the drive and market acceptance of energy efficiency technologies and energy efficient buildings.
• Explore and discuss insights from: government, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, designers, energy efficient experts, developers.
• Adopt innovative building technologies and leverage experience gained in France.