Introduction

The purpose of the Department of Minerals and Energy's (DME) Directorate: Energy Planning and Development is to manage energy information, energy development, integrated energy planning, and policy development.

The Directorate derives its mandate to develop an Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) [PDF, 752KB]; collect and publish data; and provide community energy services from the White Paper on Energy Policy [PDF, 592KB] and from government policy on poverty alleviation and job creation.

Our vision is to effectively and efficiently provide world-class energy planning and community development services to our stakeholders.

Our mission is to develop an IEP that will facilitate policy formulation and decision-making; collect and publish South Africa energy data that meets international standards and specifications; provide energy services and information; contribute towards job creation and alleviate poverty through the establishment of Integrated Energy Centres (IeCs) in South Africa; and provide excellent administration and support services to the energy branches.

The strategic objectives of the directorate are to:

• Actively contribute to sustainable development through energy interventions;
• Redress past imbalances and bridge the gap between the first and second economies;
• Implement energy economic policies and legislation; and
• Provide Operational Energy Information and Petroleum Licensing Systems.

Relevant stakeholders are national, provincial and local government; communities and the public; the energy industry; research institutions and NGOs; international organisations; and donors.

Energy Information and Publication sub-directorate

The purpose of the Energy Information and Publication sub-directorate is to manage an energy information system. It manages the collection of data for energy balances and price reports; oversees the publication and dissemination of data; monitors and maintains the energy information management system; and provides information support.

The DME produces a set of energy balances and a price report on different energy carriers (e.g. coal, crude oil, petroleum products, gas, nuclear, hydro). The aggregate balances for 2002-2005 are not yet available. For information, email Mr J Van Wyk.

Visit the key documents page to download these energy balances.

Energy and Development sub-directorate

The purpose of the Energy and Development sub-directorate is to manage the establishment of integrated energy centres. Its functions are to:

• Promote the accessibility to affordable energy sources and services;
• Identify and co-ordinate the establishment of sustainable integrated energy centres;
• Facilitate and co-ordinate the development of energy-related small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs);
• Energise rural and urban areas and co-ordinate energy projects; and
• Ensure the development of educational programmes to disseminate energy information to the communities.

Energy Advisory Services

The Energy Advisory Services within the DME promotes the accessibility and affordability of energy sources and services through Integrated Energy Centres. An Integrated Energy Centre is a one-stop energy shop owned and operated by a community cooperative and organised as a community project. It provides energy solutions to communities.

Integrated Energy Centres provide a bucket of energy services; making energy easily available, promoting awareness of the different energy sources and services, and building capacity through energy provision. The location and strategic placement of these centres make it easy for the local communities to access the energy services and information without spending money on transport. Furthermore, the IeC orders its products directly from the suppliers thereby eliminating the middleman in order to make the products affordable to the consumers.

The most important aspect of an IeC is the information centre that ensures that communities are provided with information and training on how to use the energy products in a safe manner. Illuminating paraffin is sold in safety bottles and consumers receive training on how to use paraffin and LP Gas in a safe manner.

Each local IeC is linked with the Integrated Development Plans (IDP) of the local municipality, which is implemented through the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Programme (ISRDS), thus integrating the provision of wider energy choices with other projects like water supply, building schools and clinics. Ultimately it is the community that owns the project through their registered cooperative.

Objectives of the Integrated Energy Centre Programme:

Increasing access to affordable energy services
 

The DME promote access to affordable energy services for disadvantaged households, small businesses, small farms and community services.
 

Stimulating Economic Development

The DME seeks to revive and stimulate rural economies through promotion and support of SMMEs in poor communities.
 

Align Integrated Energy Centres with Integrated Development Plans and Local Economic Development

Integrated Energy Centres are aligned with the Integrated Development Plans and implemented through the Intergrated Sustainable Rural Development Project thus integrating the provision of wider energy choices with other projects such as water supply, building schools and housing, agriculture and SMME development.

The Department of Minerals and Energy encourage and support targeted communities to form energy cooperatives in order to be able to exploit available economic opportunities and contribute towards poverty alleviation.

There are five IeCs that are operating at the moment. Others are at different stages of construction. The five are: Kgalagadi IeC in Dithakong in Kuruman (Northern Cape), Moshaweng IeC in Laxey (Northern Cape) Caba-Mdeni IeC in Matatiele (Eastern Cape), Mutale IeC in Mutale (Limpopo) and Ratlou IeC in Makgobistad (North West)

Integrated Energy Planning sub-directorate
The purpose of the Integrated Energy Planning sub-directorate is to manage integrated energy planning and policy development. Its functions are to:

Develop integrated energy and resource planning policy;

Develop, implement and monitor the integrated energy plan; and

Ensure that the energy plan is in line with energy sector development and national economy development.