“Energy-efficiency projects were expected to constitute an important project type under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). In South Africa, there is significant potential for energy savings in several sectors. The savings possible in industry have been demonstrated through plant-level energy
audits, measurement and verification of Eskom’s Demand Side Management (DSM) programme and national energy modelling. The paper seeks to dispel the misconception that
energy efficiency projects might not be ‘additional’ under the CDM. Analysis of barriers, which is well understood by those dealing with energy efficiency, can be used to demonstrate additionality. A standard
tool for demonstrating additionality is now
available, as are baseline methodologies for both large and small-scale CDM projects. It should, therefore, be clear that energy efficiency projects are not a priori ruled out as non-additional. Each project has to demonstrate additionality, as for any
other project type.”
