COMPULSORY BUILDINGS REGISTRATION FOR ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE DEADLINE

To drive energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the buildings sector, owners of buildings are legally required to register their buildings by 2 August 2024, and display an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) by early December 2025. This is Part 1 of a two-part series.

To obtain an EPC, buildings must first be registered (https://epc.sanedi.org.za/login) by 2 August 2024. The Energy Performance Certificate Regulations require that owners of four categories or occupancies classes (these are based on type and size) obtain an EPC, which gives a building a rating based on the amount of energy consumed per square metre. Failure to comply is a contravention of the National Energy Act of 2008, and owners risk a fine of R5 million, five years imprisonment or both.

The categories that currently need to comply are offices, indoor sporting facilities, educational institution buildings, and places of entertainment and public assembly such as community centres. Regulations also apply to government buildings of more than 1 000 square metres and privately owned buildings of more than 2 000 square metres.

Once a building is registered, the owner then needs to take the necessary steps to ensure measurement of energy performance is conducted. This compliance data is submitted for review, assessment and accreditation before an EPC can, and must be, prominently displayed in the foyer of the building. An EPC rates buildings on a scale of A to G in a similar way to how appliances are rated for their energy efficiency. A ‘D-rating’ is the benchmark rating which is considered the best practice.

At first, an EPC had to be issued by a South African National Accreditation System inspection body, however, in an important amendment released last year, an EPC will now be able to be allotted by individual EPC-registered professionals as of 1 August 2024. This transition to a broader body of available professionals will significantly help to cater for the many thousands of buildings that need to be rated across the country. Furthermore, it will drive employment opportunities that will in turn help boost the country’s economy and specifically, it is expected that smaller SMMEs will now be afforded contracts to operate in this space. In addition, programmes are in place to upskill youth and cement these socio-economic benefits.

Pathway to becoming an EPC professional

In order to register as an EPC professional, various criteria need to be met including certain qualifications (Grade 12 or NQF 4, and a diploma or bachelor’s degree in identified courses), specific EPC training as well as a minimum of two years of experience in an energy auditing, management, measurement, verification or efficiency role. To apply visit: http://epc.sanedi.org.za/login. It is expected that there will be a substantial increase in the number of registered professionals entering this field compared to the past three years.