Western Cape Premier Alan Winde has warned that Eskom’s ageing infrastructure underscores the need for investing in renewable energy and improving energy resilience, Cape {town} Etc reports.
Also read: Eskom’s surplus capacity sparks loadshedding optimism
During a recent meeting of the Western Cape Energy Council, joined by the Minister of Electricity and Energy, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, and Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Mare, Winde noted that electricity tariffs are ‘far too high and are placing added strain on already struggling residents who cannot handle these massive price increases’.
‘Even though there is currently no loadshedding, we must not become complacent. The reality is that our existing energy network is ageing, and we need to invest in a different approach to our energy mix for the future,’ he said.
‘The Energy Council will continue coordinating all measures outlined in the Western Cape Energy Resilience programme, particularly in speeding up our transition from coal-based power to renewable energy and reducing the province’s reliance on Eskom.
‘We must not stop putting up those solar panels and wind turbines.’ In response to this, Ramokgopa offered the support of his office and the department.
The minister also indicated that:
- Between 1 April 2024 and 1 August 2024, the Energy Availability Factor (EAF) increased from 8% (from the same period last year) to 63.3%
- The weekly EAF increased from 57% at the start of the current financial year to 70.67% from 26 July 2024 to 1 August 2024
- Six power stations recorded an EAF greater than 70%
Despite these improved figures, the minister agreed that there are still ‘significant challenges with municipal and Eskom distribution infrastructure’, which in some cases have led to load reduction.
In addition, the Energy Council called for more transparent regulations for the increase in load reduction. ‘Just like NERSA has put transparent regulations for load shedding in place that allow customers to plan, we must do the same for load reduction,’ Winde said.
‘Whether it is loadshedding or load reduction the result is still the same, our residents are without electricity. I am also concerned that load reduction could be having a particularly devastating impact on our poorer residents, where load reduction seems to be more prevalent.’
Ramokgopa also proposed that the Energy Pricing Policy (EPP) Electricity pricing policy be reviewed, which the council and premier fully supported.
Alwie Lester, special advisor to the premier on energy, also provided an update on the key focus areas of the resilience plan:
- Nearly 4 000 load shedding relief packs have been distributed to social development facilities
- A further 72 000 packs have been distributed to quintile 1-3 schools for learners in grades 1 and 12
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery energy storage systems have been installed at 12 municipal trading hubs, benefiting about 100 SMMEs
- More than 417kWp solar PV and 653kWn of battery storage have been installed at 18 schools
- Three major private-sector electricity wheeling projects have been enabled by the Western Cape Government (WCG)
The council is also considering a larger role for gas in the Western Cape’s energy transition. The WCG confirmed its support for developing gas-to-power capabilities and advancing Green Hydrogen (GH2) development via partnerships with other provinces, namely the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
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Picture: Premier Alan Winde / Facebook