Employee perceptions of energy management programmes at Eskom New Germany.

Abstract

Over the years, harmful impacts on the environment have led to a growing awareness of managing the environment. This trend to protect the environment has grown both locally and internationally. The increased pressure from the public, private and government structures have resulted in companies taking more responsibility for the environment. One of the major environmental areas is the management of energy. The poor planning by the South African government has resulted in serious shortage of energy (electricity) to consumers. In 2008 and 2009, Eskom could not meet the demands for electricity, resulting in load shedding across South Africa. The short-term solution was to embark on managing energy usage through promoting lower consumption and through the efficient and sustainable usage of energy. Eskom had to serve as the leaders in managing the energy usage. This took the form of developing and implementing energy management programmes, including programmes for Eskom employees. The literature research reviewed local and international approaches to Environmental and Energy Management programmes within organisations. A survey and quantitative analysis was undertaken to determine the perceptions of Energy Management Programmes by employees based at Eskom, New Germany. The population at Eskom New Germany consists of 758 employees. In total, 84 responses were received and analysed. The findings of the study indicated that the majority of respondents were aware of Eskom’s overall environmental and energy management programmes. The majority of respondents positively rated these programmes in terms of their incentives, motivation, effectiveness, support structures and communication channels. Regarding the overall energy management programmes implemented at Eskom, New Germany, the majority of the respondents were aware of them and were of the view that these programmes were very effective. One programme had a poor participation level mainly due to lack of awareness, but the respondents who did participate indicated that the programme was valuable in terms of its effectiveness. The main recommendation was to combine all the energy management programmes into one portfolio, driven by one department. This Department will be responsible for the developing, implementing and sustaining current and future energy management programmes for employees within Eskom.