The country uses almost 50% of the continent's total energy supplies though is home to 5% of Africa's total population. Coal-fired electricity is relatively cheap, putting the country among the top 15 greenhouse-gas polluters in the world.

Details of the new draft strategy to cut energy consumption were presented this week. English energy supply consultant Dave Mercer, whose company helped to draw up the strategy for the department of minerals and energy, said coal still accounts for 80% of South Africa's primary energy supply. While cheap electricity had attracted many heavy industries, low costs meant there was little incentive for companies to save electricity.

In terms of the draft energy policy a national target of 12% has been set to reduce the total amount of energy used in South Africa by 2014. The reduction target is based on projected energy consumption in 10 years' time, so the actual energy consumption in 2014 will still be almost 20% higher than today.

The plan will be implemented in three phases. Industry, which presently uses almost 50% of final energy supplies, will be expected to cut consumption by 15%. The same target has been set for the public building and commercial sector, while a lower target of 10% has been set for residential homes.