Tumelo Setshogo
11 April 2008
Gaborone — The Department of Energy Affairs in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources (MMEWR) in conjunction with the Danish Energy Management held a workshop on Tuesday at the Gaborone Sun during which they launched an energy efficiency book as well as a website.
The workshop was attended by representatives of the Botswana Power Corporations (BPC), MMEWR, the University of Botswana (UB), the Botswana Training Authority (BOTA), the Ministry of Communications, Science and Technology and of Local Government and other organisations.
The Department of Energy Affairs was hosting a seminar on 'Energy Efficiency in the Building Sector' which was as a result of the project on 'Developing Energy Efficiency and Energy Conservation in the Building Sector in Botswana.'
The project was established by the MMEWR in 2005 to address government policy as stated in the National Development Plan IX (NDP9) with the aim of carrying out information and educational campaigns, promoting energy efficiency in the design and operation of buildings.
The project also aimed at conducting audits of energy intensive industries and government institutions "and to develop and implement a national energy management plan".
However, the guidelines, which are compiled in the 158 paged book titled 'Energy Efficiency Building Design Guidelines for Botswana,' are intended to be a resource that "will help in achieving the overall aim to improve energy efficiency and energy conservation in the building sector". Officially launching the guidelines and its summary, MMEWR Minister Ponatshego Kedikilwe called on all sectors to use them effectively. He said the current electricity crises in the country need men and women to stand up and make sure that energy is conserved at all costs. "This should be your Bible which contains (a) New Testament on energy conservation," said Kedikilwe.
Since the seminar was solely for the building sector, he said energy efficiency should be considered from the beginning of the life of a building. "This is typically the stage when the initial design brief is prepared, which is why the design brief has been chosen as the core document around which these guidelines are structured," Kedikilwe noted.
Some simple aspects during design "can easily save about 15 percent of electricity". Kedikilwe said the orientation of a building structure should have a long axis facing east and west.
"Roof insulation and proper and adequate ventilation of the roof space helps to steadily maintain temperatures of the inner living spaces and light colour paint for walls and roofs are some measures which can save electricity," said Kedikilwe.
He commended the Danish government for providing financial and technical support in the area of energy efficiency in the building sector. Still at the seminar, the website of the project was launched. Danish Management Group consultant, Kira Kariakin de Agala, will provide information on energy conservation for constructive use.
The website will have recent documents for downloading regarding EEC activities such as "workshops, seminars, press conferences and other important useful information".
The website has two navigation systems,namely organisation resources and projects "and information destined for the public to benefit". She said the site will be updated frequently with new information.
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