SANEDI promotes gender mainstreaming through ESCo Market Development
A recent study by IRENA found that women make up just 22% of the global energy sector; a trend reflected in South Africa’s industry. In the just energy transition for South Africa, there needs to be a focus on changing this trend. This just transition is defined as a shift from our current energy system to one that is better in terms of sustainability, environmental impact, climate change, human health, economics, employment and social equity.
“As the definition so clearly outlines, the development of women in the energy industry is paramount in this transition,” states Wendy Jali, Project Officer in the Energy Efficiency programme at the South African National Energy Development Institute, (SANEDI). Having joined SANEDI in 2014 with a qualification in geography and environmental management, she has progressed and now leads an important SANEDI project, supported by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) and other key local and international stakeholders.
“Since 2016, I have been involved with developing a national database of Energy Service Companies (ESCo’s), commonly referred to as the ESCo register,” says Jali. “The register was initially developed to assist municipalities participating in government funded energy efficiency projects, to source reputable energy efficiency service providers who they could trust but, since then, it has evolved into a wider tool within the ESCo market development activities in the country.” While listing your company and expert services on the register is voluntary, it is increasingly becoming a prerequisite in order to secure work in the energy efficiency sector in South Africa.
