Preliminary Analysis of Electricity Energy Efficiency in SMEs

Abstract

In general, industrial sector consumes high energy. Therefore, efforts to manage the energy usage in this sector are useful as it can reduce significantly total energy consumption mainly for electricity. This research aims to observe consumers’ perceptions and success factors to improve efficiency of electricity energy usage for industry particularly for manufacturing small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Makassar as a representative big city in Indonesia. A questionnaire for survey is designed to get data from 127 respondents and analysed using statistical approach. Observed variables related to energy efficiency in SMEs include human resources, production technology, rainfall, and tax. Results shown the developed questionnaire is reliable (Cronbach’s alpha value exceeds 0.6). Perception of consumers about energy saving is quite good. From aspect of demographic characteristic, there is a difference in users’ perceptions on energy saving. Other results show the significant relationship between human resources, production technology, and rainfall condition to the energy efficiency level at SMEs. Knowledge or findings of this study provide valuable information in relation to strategy to improve efficiency of electricity usage in industries.