South Africa : Electricity saving requires collective, individual action - Mbete

Pretoria - Deputy President Baleke Mbete has called for collective as well as individual action in order to manage the electricity situation in the country next month when Eskom carries out maintenance to its existing infrastructure.

"This task has to be intensified even more at this juncture because Eskom has to carry out maintenance in January [next year].

"Summer is the only time that maintenance is possible, because in cold weather we cannot take plants out of production in order to service them," said the Deputy President, speaking on Tuesday at the relaunch of the Energy Saving Campaign.

Ms Mbete said the country has on a number of occasions heard from major stakeholders about their commitments to addressing the national project around electricity.

What is key to the realisation of this commitment is the need for society and business to act together to reduce unnecessary and inefficient use of energy, which is indeed a lifeblood for both people and the economy, she said.

The only immediate way to change the situation is through simple behavioural changes, unnecessary use and even waste of the precious resource.

"We could, of course, agree to raise the cost of electricity to the point where no one could afford to waste it. We have avoided this solution because it would place severe burdens on consumers and on the economy.

"We have to raise tariffs substantially, as agreed at the Electricity Summit in June 2008 … but we are committed to gradual and systematic increases, rather than once-off hikes," she said.

Above all, she said, South Africans needed to change their habits in using electricity, such as turning off lights and appliances when not in use, as well as turning off geysers during the day.

From the business' side, South Africa is relying on them to introduce electricity-saving equipment and processes in production and support co-generation of electricity where they can.

Business is also expected to see an increase in local development and production of green technologies.

"Government must also play its part, of course. We have started with our own buildings. We have refitted 4 000 buildings, at a savings of R56 million a year in electricity costs. We will continue until every government facility is electricity efficient," she said.

Government is currently investigating tax incentives for businesses with more energy-efficient production.

For households, she said, government has provided, through Eskom, a subsidy for solar water heaters.

The distribution of tens of thousands of energy-efficient light bulbs, in collaboration with the municipalities, has also taken place.

"But we are not here to find out what government is doing. We are here to pledge, collectively, to do what we can because we understand the benefits to ourselves and to the nation," Ms Mbete explained. - BuaNews