Evaluating an energy efficiency behaviour-based training programme

Abstract

Globally, the concern amongst countries is the harmful effect of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment; the challenge therefore is for countries to implement strategies in order to reduce energy usage which is the main cause of greenhouse gas emissions, in order to ensure environmental sustainability. In South Africa, the challenge is intensified to ensure security of electricity energy supply due to the current high demand for electricity. Moreover, there has been a steep increase in electricity costs in the last five years which forces the mining industry in South Africa to look for ways to reduce energy usage in order to sustain financial viability. Energy efficiency achieved through change of human behaviour has been identified as an essential strategy that greatly reduces energy usage with minimal financial investments. However, not a single study was found in South Africa which quantified the amount of electricity that can be saved through behavioural change interventions. Previous research postulated that behaviour was affected by individual factors such as values, beliefs and norms as well as social factors such as cultural and social norms. This study proposed an energy efficiency behaviour-based training intervention assessed as per Kirkpatrick's model to change employee behaviour towards saving energy at the mine in Limpopo province. Furthermore, Kirkpatrick's model was complemented with Phillips' model in order to quantify the return on investment (ROI) of implementing energy efficiency behaviour-based training. The primary objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate whether energy efficiency behaviour-based training impacts positively on the electricity consumption at a mine in Limpopo, South Africa. A quasi-experimental research design was employed; this was to allow the effect of the training intervention to be isolated from other factors that may not be related to training. The results showed that employees' energy awareness correlated with energy saving behaviour; however, there were no significant changes to electricity consumption as a result, meaning that the training intervention did not significantly change employees' overall behaviour towards energy savings. Finally, recommendations for the organisation and future research were made.