There has been an energy fusion in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment - the Energy and Development Research Centre (EDRC) and the Energy Research Institute (ERI) melded on January 1 to form the Energy Research Centre (ERC), a new unit of collective expertise.

The centre now harnesses the full research potential of both former units, which had experienced problematic overlaps in the past.

Commenting on the merger, faculty dean Professor Cyril O'Connor said the new entity provided an opportunity to create a dynamic new group at UCT in the broad area of energy research.

"This will not only be a centre of excellence in South Africa and on the African continent, but will rapidly gain an international reputation for high-class research, a reputation which is already enjoyed by many parts of the new grouping. The synergistic opportunities that are created by bringing the two groups together are really exciting."

The ERC will build on current strengths in the areas of poverty and development, energy efficiency, modelling, the environment and climate change, energy technologies and resources and economics. It aims to become the premier energy research group in Africa.