Saving energy, saving money
12 May 2004
As part of the Energy Efficiency Month campaign to "Save energy, save money", the Department of Minerals and Energy will launch South Africa's first appliance labelling programme.
South African appliance manufacturers will in future be required to label their appliances to show consumers exactly how much electricity the appliance uses.
A kettle, for example, will be marked with either a green or a red label - green indicating that the consumer will save electricity by using that particular make of kettle, red indicating higher electricity consumption.
According to Deputy Minerals and Energy Minister Lulama Xingwana, the labelling of appliances would initially be voluntary, becoming mandatory at a later stage.
Launching Energy Efficiency Month in Pretoria earlier this month, Xingwana stressed the importance of using the country's limited energy resources sparingly.
The "Save energy, save money" campaign is co-sponsored by
Xingwana's department, power utility Eskom and the National Electricity Regulator as part of Eskom's Demand Side Management programme, which aims to meet the country's electricity needs and to reduce peak period demand from residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial customers.
Eskom chief executive Thulani Gcabashe, speaking at the launch of the campaign, said that although South Africans enjoyed the benefits of electricity at affordable costs, the challenge was to sustain access to affordable electricity.
"Our forecasts indicate a steady increase in demand for electricity, especially during peak periods (7am - 10am and 6pm - 8pm)", Gcabashe said.
"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."
This, he said, would mean that more power stations have to be built, with the consumer having to bear the costs.
More information:
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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