The South African efficient lighting initiative (ELI): Evaluation of the implementation field studies leading up to full implementation

Barry Bredenkamp, Bonesa Electricity (Pty) Ltd., South Africa

Keywords

global environment facility, efficient lighting initiative, peak demand, revenue losses, compact fluorescent lamps, evaluation, distribution utility, Eskom

Abstract

The South African Efficient Lighting Initiative (ELI) is a 3-year, US$10 million dollar effort jointly funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – via a grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) – and Eskom (South Africa’s parastatal electric utility). The ELI is a demand-side management (DSM) activity that seeks to transform South Africa’s lighting market through the promotion of efficient lamps and luminaires.

The paper will describe the objectives and evaluation of the Hartbeespoort field study that Eskom conducted (along with four other field studies) in 1999, to inform the design and implementation of the full-scale ELI. In Hartbeespoort, Eskom sought to determine whether (1) efficient lighting can provide distributed utility benefits; offsetting lost energy sales with reduced peak demand charges and (2) financing for efficient lamps and distribution through utility depots was an effective means of selling the technology into the market.

The evaluation of the field study showed that the ELI would have a negative impact on South African distribution utilities bottom lines, but that the avoided costs of peak demand could offset most of the revenue lost by reduced kWh sales. As for financing program, few residents of Hartbeespoort availed themselves of the lease option, preferring to buy the lamps with cash. Finally, with respect to sales through utility depots, the office hours and location of the municipal offices offered limited accessibility and the municipal staff voiced objection to the additional workload.