Mari Macnamara Hits: 210
While South Africans celebrate the lifting of many Covid-19 restrictions and the full reopening of the economy, the news is not all good as Eskom has reported a severely constrained power system, resulting in continued load shedding.
This latest round of load shedding comes as ten generation units at seven power stations have suffered breakdowns in the last 48 hours. “These power interruptions are inconvenient, but they come at a massive cost to the economy,” explains Barry Bredenkamp, General Manager Energy Efficiency & Corporate Communications at the South African National Energy Development Institute, (SANEDI).
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has reported an economic loss of R338 billion over the past ten years due to load shedding, with 2019 being the worst year on record for blackouts. “Continued outages are something we can ill-afford coming out of a global pandemic, as such SANEDI believes energy efficiency is vital for improved electricity provision and economic recovery,” says Bredenkamp.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has reported that in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the energy landscape and the priorities of governments around the world. “Despite energy efficiency’s tremendous potential, the world is struggling to capture its full benefits,” reports the Agency. Like many other countries, South Africa’s efforts have been focussed on disaster management, but Bredenkamp stresses the importance energy efficiency as a key tool that governments can use to respond to the severe economic, environmental, and social development consequences of the crisis. “Ambitious energy efficiency action can be mobilised quickly to create jobs, stimulate local economic activity, and improve energy affordability, thus helping South Africa to accelerate the achievement of our recovery goals,” he says.
According to the IEA, there is evidence that well-designed stimulus programmes with efficiency considerations can rapidly support the existing workforce, create new jobs, and boost economic activities in a range of key sectors. “In addition, energy efficiency programmes will help relieve the burden on South Africa’s constrained grid,” adds Bredenkamp.
The importance of prioritising energy efficiency is clear. The IAE estimates that without the energy efficiency improvements that have been made since 2000, the world would be using 13% more energy today, and energy-related carbon emissions would be 14% higher. Efficiency progress is also enhancing energy security and access to affordable, reliable energy in other countries – something much-needed in South Africa.
(Ed’s comment: plumbers get your battery tools out or a generator as one cannot afford to lose working time because of Eskom (aka Electricity Shortage Commission!)
Recent Comments