The Department of Transport and Public Works (DTPW) recently published the 8th edition of its Property Efficiency Report (PER) for the 2018/19 financial year. It describes the innovative ways in which we are reducing our carbon footprint, saving money, and using our office space efficiently.
In 2018/19, water consumption fell by 9% compared to the previous year, and electricity consumption is 35% more efficient than the private sector.
- Read more in the 2018/19 PER
Rooftop solar photo-voltaic (PV) systems
To prove the Western Cape Government's (WCG's) commitment and to lead the way, the DTPW has made a significant investment in the installation of rooftop solar PV systems at 17 government-owned properties since September 2016.
The current cumulative energy saving for the initial phase of the solar PV project is estimated at more than R3.6 million. We now generate approximately 2% of the energy we consume from our own solar PV plants.
PV panels have been installed at these WCG-owned buildings:
- 9 Dorp Street, Cape Town
- Vangate Shared Services Centre, Athlone
- 27 Wale Street, Cape Town
- Alfred Street library building, Green Point
- Alfred Street Building (CMD)
- Karl Bremer Hospital
- Khayelitsha Shares Services Centre
- GMT Building in Maitland
- Goulburn Building in Goodwood
- Cape Teaching and Learning Institute
- Kromme Rhee
- Gene Louw Building
- Elsenberg Administration Building
- 4 Dorp Street
- York Park Garage
- Dassen Island, Cape Town Nature
- Artscape
Modernisation
A new standard workspace design enabled an increase in the workspace capacity of almost 30%. Before modernisation, the desk space of a work station was 13 m². After modernisation, space per desk stands at 10 m².
Through modernisation we aim to create an efficient, modern working environment by:
- Reducing the amount of leased space,
- Improving workplace efficiency, and
- Implementing versatile space, furniture and fitting.
The number of desks increased from 200 to 254. There was an average 27% gain in space efficiency.
Using less water
We are continuing to report on savings from waterless urinals, supplementary water supplies from groundwater sources for purposes such as flushing toilets, and the new heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) plants at 9 Dorp, 4 Dorp and 27 Wale.
Number 3 Dorp Street in Cape Town is the only building in the CBD that recycles blackwater (sewerage water). An estimated 1 million litres per annum is captured for reuse from this single building. Any water that is not reused for the flushing of toilets is rerouted to the lush, rooftop garden.
- Read more about our water and energy saving efforts