Client: NCPC-SA & IDC
Location: South Africa (Nationwide)
Sector: Tourism & Hospitality
Duration: 2019–2026

Challenge

Tourism enterprises across South Africa face increasing operational costs due to high energy and water consumption. The Department of Tourism launched the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) to promote sustainable practices and support privately owned tourism businesses in improving resource efficiency and reducing utility costs.

The programme was implemented through two government agencies, the National Cleaner Production Centre South Africa (NCPC-SA) and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which required expert technical partners to assess and guide interventions for participating entities.

Our Approach

Linchpin ESS was appointed to the Panel of Service Providers under GTIP, representing the NCPC-SA from 2019 to 2022 and the IDC from 2023 to 2026. Our role was to conduct in-depth Energy and Water Efficiency Assessments for over 60 tourism enterprises across the country.

Key Components of Our Methodology:

• Baseline Development for electricity and water consumption
• On-site Audits at hotels, guesthouses, and lodges
• Resource Efficiency Tools & Metrics for data analysis
• Identification of Quantitative & Qualitative Interventions
• Evaluation of interventions for Technical, Economic, and Environmental Feasibility
• Compilation of Technical Resource Efficiency Reports for each client

Key Solutions Implemented

• LED lighting retrofits
• Solar PV system integration
• Water-saving devices (low-flow taps, dual-flush toilets, rainwater harvesting, and water purification technologies)
• Operational efficiency practices (e.g., geyser timers, appliance upgrades, smart card switches, occupancy sensors, etc.)
• Behavioural change (e.g., switching off lights, not leaving taps and aircons running)

Project Outcomes

Between 2019 and 2025, Linchpin’s interventions identified and enabled the following cumulative savings:

 Sample of Participating Tourism Clients

Over 60 privately owned tourism businesses supported across all provinces. B&Bs, Restaurants and Hotels, Guest Lodges, Game Lodges, and Guest Farms.