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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