8 March 2006

The government, Eskom and light-bulb manufacturer Osram will be providing 500 million energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to households affected by power outages in Cape Town.

According to the manufacturers of CFLs, the bulbs use 25% of the electricity used by traditional bulbs and produce the same amount of required light. If properly used, the bulbs can last for up to seven years.

"This will contribute to alleviating some of the problems experienced with the Koeberg Power Station being out of commission for repairs for approximately nine months", Minerals and Energy Minister Lindiwe Hendricks said at the launch of Energy Efficiency Month in Pretoria on Tuesday.

"It is anticipated that this will lower the peak demand by approximately 100 megawatts, which is significant as one of the two Koeberg units can supply 800 megawatts."

Hendricks also urged Cape Town residents to use electricity and energy efficiently and to keep any device that uses electricity off when not in use.

Energy conservation
The minister called on communities in other provinces as well to begin replacing standard incandescent light bulbs with energy saving CFLs, and advised household and business owners countrywide to consider installing solar water heaters instead of using electricity to heat water.

The minister said the country was entering a phase of power supply shortage due to high demand from both businesses and households, and urged people to be "mindful of energy conservation in this short-term hurdle".

Car drivers on national roads are also advised to drive "efficiently" at a reasonably low speed so as to save fuel. The minister said this would save the country more than R4-billion on the cost of fuel annually.

• Eskom Energy Efficiency Hotline:
  0860 728 928
• Energy Saver's Checklist
  Find out how energy efficient you are in your home.
• Daily electricity demand in SA
  (updated every 25 minutes)
• Eskom's electricity tips
• Energy saving tips 1
• Energy saving tips 2
• Energy saving tips 3
• Energy saving tips 4

The EEA will fall under the supervision of the Central Energy Fund, the company entrusted with financing and promoting alternative energy sources, including hybrid solar systems and coal usage.

"The Energy Efficiency Agency will oversee the demand side management and energy efficiency projects currently undertaken by Eskom and others in the country," said the minister.

The EEA will also oversee the measurement and verification of projects rolled out by Eskom.

Source: BuaNews

	Eskom outlines Koeberg plan Nersa to boost energy competition RED Two for electricity delivery South Africa's energy supply

	Eskom  Eskom Demand Side Management  Eskom's Electricity Tips  Department of Minerals and Energy  National Energy Regulator of SA  Osram

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