South Africa

Load shedding here to stay

Minister urges South Africans to save electricity and be patient until 2013.

Denise Mhlanga
01 April 2008 00:00

Load shedding is a reality South Africans will have to live with until 2013, says the Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica.

Speaking during a media briefing at Nasrec, South of Johannesburg today, the minister said power shortages have reached a critical level in the country and load shedding is the only option to help reduce demand and normalise the energy crisis.

"Load shedding is inevitable if the power crisis is to be effectively addressed," she said.

She adds government has already admitted it took too long to invest in electricity projects - a delay that has now resulted in a crisis.

"South Africa has for a long time now enjoyed full use of cheap electricity and that has now changed," she says.

In addition, Sonjica says it is time all citizens consider using alternative energy sources such as solar heating and gas to reduce the demand of electricity currently not being met by supply.

She advises that geysers, lights and irons should be switched off when not being used as they use a lot of electricity.

While households use only 17% of electricity, Sonjica says alternative energy sources will help to further reduce demand.

The department of Minerals and Energy will regulate gas prices to make it accessible to all citizens Sonjica says

Furthermore, she says the Department of Minerals and Energy is aware of gas shortages and is working on finding ways to increase availability.

"Although we battle load shedding now, South Africa has the cheapest electricity in the world and we need to save it," She says.

Speaking about the proposed increase in electricity tariffs, Sonjica says it is just a proposal at this stage.

"Stakeholders and consumers will have an opportunity to participate in the proposal before a figure can be arrived at," says Sonjica.

Nersa will undertake the public participation process which begins on 8 May and details of participation will be available through various media.

Print story    Email story Related Links Articles:  Eskom resumes load shedding today Eskom to engage in nationwide forced power cuts Eskom’s application for revised price increase for 2008/9 A National Electricity Emergency Programme DA’s 6 point plan to solve SA’s electricity crisis

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Preventing Load Shedding Take a look at my article at http://repairyourworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/preventing-load-shedding-power-failures.html by David Lipschitz on December 10 2008, 11:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Preventing Load Shedding Take a look at my article at http://repairyourworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/preventing-load-shedding-power-failures.html by David Lipschitz on December 10 2008, 11:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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