The project supports local government in developing sustainable energy plans for their cities. This initiative builds awareness, capacity and support in the local authority for strategy development and implementation. It also assists with information gathering and analysis, policy development, project development, building partnerships and, where possible, sourcing funding. It supports the networking of cities that are involved in sustainable energy initiatives and offers energy planning training courses and a variety of support materials including manuals, books, posters and CDs.Pioneering city energy strategy work and ?State of Energy? assessments undertaken over the past years in South Africa have highlighted the critical role cities play in the national energy picture. The largest cities account for approximately 40% of overall energy consumption and are important focus areas for achieving national energy targets in RE and EE as well as being key players in national economic development and social welfare in support of the Millennium Development Goals.In order to take the energy agenda further, five of the more pioneering cities in South Africa have formed an ?energy alliance?. These cities have energy strategies or plans, and all have implemented RE and EE demonstration or pilot projects.Now they are looking to large-scale implementation, and have come together under this REEEP project to provide mutual support, capacity building for staff, develop a network of implementation contacts and form a critical mass to facilitate a large-scale roll-out of RE and EE interventions.The RE and EE options covered by the project, and identified by cities to be the most important focus areas include solar water heaters, efficient building design, efficient lighting and transport modal shift from private vehicles to public transport.

Cities are a growing source of energy use due to urban sprawl currently being experienced all over the world, By focussing on cities, specifically policy issues, the project will bring about a greater awareness and broad use of clean energy issues to the city's energy consumers. The project's main activities are:? Synthesise baseline information on energy use and CO2 emissions in cities, including existing RE and EE applications? Quantify potential for, and identify economic, social and environmental benefits of, RE and EE implementation? Support cities with action plans for large-scale implementation? Coordinate amongst organisations identified to be important to implementation? Target activities in poor urban communities for improving access to sustainable energy development? Promote equity in development through activities promoting greater EE within mid-high income communities? Assess legislative, policy, financial, institutional framework, barriers and their solutions relevant to RE and EEdevelopment in South African cities? Compile guidance on these cities? role in effective RE and EE implementation from a national perspective? Develop and present suitable material on practical actions for key officials in these, and other South African cities

All urban energy users can benefit from the project's idea and innovation as there will be reduced risk of price volalitilty related to international energy markets, reduced local and international air pollution, and reduced long-term costs associated with energy services.

Individuals benefit from reduced costs for energy services. Society benefits from a greater awareness of clean energy issues, the economy benefits from reduced risk of price volalitility related to international energy markets, and the environment benefits from reduced local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

The project aims to bring together a variety of stakeholders in the development of the energy strategies of some of the biggest cities in South Africa. It thus allows markets and other role players to align their strategies to those of the city in which they operate

With a constant influx of people from rural to urban areas, cities are key indicators and benchmarks of how good and services are used and acquired. Individuals benefit from reduced costs for energy services. Society benefits from a greater awareness of clean energy issues, the economy benefits from reduced risk of price volalitility related to international energy markets, and the environment benefits from reduced local air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions contributing to climate change.

as above.

The project signal the future energy policy environment, allowing for better co-ordination among key stakeholders, businesses, government departments and civil society.