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A project aimed at boosting energy efficiency by promoting a
culture of electricity saving among South Africans was launched in
Pretoria on Wednesday.
Energy Efficiency Month would form part of efforts to reduce
electricity use and meet demand in the long term, the Department of
Minerals and Energy, the National Electricity Regulator and Eskom
said in joint statement.
"Our forecasts indicate a steady increase in demand for
electricity, especially during peak periods. If we do not take
corrective measures now, South Africa will run out of excess
peaking capacity by 2007 and excess base load capacity by 2010,"
said Eskom chief executive Thulani Gcabashe.
Eskom was bolstering its ability to meet growing demand by
recommissioning three mothballed power stations, building a new
pumped storage scheme, and undertaking research into new
capacity.
"In addition, we have embarked on a demand-side management
programme that actively promotes the efficient use of South
Africa's energy resources," Gcabashe said.
This programme was aimed at influencing demand for electricity at
peak times. "The objective of demand-side management is to reduce
demand by 4 255 MW over a period of 25 years. This saving is
equivalent to saving an entire six-pack power station." Eskom
itself had saved R10-million over ten years through successful
demand-side management, and the Midvaal Water Company expected to
achieve about R435 000 in annual savings.
The Minerals and Energy department aimed to release a draft energy
efficiency strategy later this month. It would offer a blueprint
for interventions over the next ten years – with the
industrial, mining and building sectors identified as immediate
priorities.
The national electricity regulator (NER), meanwhile, would submit a
regulatory policy on energy efficiency and demand-side management
for the electricity industry to its board at a special meeting
later this month.
Among the projects earmarked for Energy Efficiency Month included
the launch next week of the country's first appliance labelling
programme –to show consumers just how much electricity each
appliance used. - Sapa
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