Stellenbosch University building achievest A-rating energy efficiency certificate

26th February 2021 By: Schalk Burger - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Stellenbosch University building achievest A-rating energy efficiency certificate

Stellenbosch University (SU) received the very first Electrical Performance Certificate (EPC) for any building in South Africa, with its Admin B building receiving an A-rating for electrical consumption of 48 kWh per square metre.

This is in adherence to the amendment to the National Energy Act of 1998 proclaimed in December 2020 by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy requiring building owners to publish the electrical consumption per square metre by 2022. The new legislation makes it mandatory that all building owners monitor the electrical consumption for all commercial buildings bigger than 2 000 m².

"This building was the first of many buildings on SU’s campuses that are being audited and certified in this way. This is the best rating possible for such an office building in this climatic zone, according to the SANS 10400 XA standards for EPC’s for buildings in South Africa," said SU Facilities Management Division property services director Nadeem Gafieldien.

SU has been collecting data for several years by installing electronic Elsta meters, which periodically transmits live data from these meters to the central utilities management system, he said.

“We appointed [maintenance engineering support services, or Mess] company Bluedust Engineering Solutions, represented by Dr Frank Duvenhage, to complete the data verification. This was handed to Mess Energy Management and Validation Service, which is accredited by South African National Energy Development Institute to issue the EPC.”

“Systemic sustainability is one of the key attributes of SU’s Vision 2040 and Strategic Framework 2019-2024. This defines the qualities and characteristics of the University. We work hard to change our systems and processes to more sustainable energy sources and reduce the impact on the environment. Also, as a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, SU is committed to attaining the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals,” concluded Gafieldien.