Neil Gopal, association’s chief executive, said that if the government and the private sector worked together it would be a step in the right direction.

“We have planned workshops with both Eskom and the department of minerals and energy to find ways of saving energy. There are ways of implementing energy-saving for property developments.

“Everything in the economy [depends] on an energy supply,” Gopal said.

The association said it was also encouraged by the president’s announcement that the government would speed up land reform and be guided by environmental impact assessments.

“We hope to work closely with the department of land affairs to make that possible.

“It’s time to work together and grapple with the issues so that we can move on. We have come out of worse situations before,” Gopal said.

Mbeki said the government would start implementing a campaign to ensure efficient lighting, solar water heating and geyser load management in all new houses and developments.

Mbeki said all government departments had been told to reduce the consumption of electricity in their buildings. He encouraged the public to name and shame those who did not comply.

“We urge households to consider implementing energy-saving measures,” he said.

“There are concrete actions each household and business can take.”