The IEE Project was launched in 2010 and aims to contribute to the sustainable transformation of industrial energy usage practices in South Africa, thereby reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and pressure on energy resources, whilst demonstrating the impact of energy efficiency practices in terms of monetary and environmental benefits.

To achieve this, the project employs a holistic approach based on a number of key elements, or components: Encouraging the creation of an enabling policy environment; Supporting the adoption and promotion of energy management standards (ISO 50001); Building local capacity to implement EnMS and ESO in industrial enterprises, through specialised training courses and extensive in-plant implementation support; and Demonstrating the potential and impact of IEE on the bottom line and sustainability of a business through case studies, demonstration plants and awareness-raising.

Since 2011, the Industrial Energy Efficiency Project (IEE Project) in South Africa has assisted industry to save over R 344 million in energy savings through the implementation of Energy Management Systems (EnMS) and Energy Systems Optimisation (ESO) in 54 industry plants.