Pledge to save electricity

11 December 2008

With South Africa in the grips of an energy crisis, the eThekwini Municipality has heeded government’s calls, and have embarked on a campaign to encourage consumers to “Switch off. Unplug. Save 10%” electricity.

Following the load-shedding earlier this year, electricity consumers in the entire eThekwini Municipal Area made a saving of only between 5 -6%, out of the 10% that was requested by Eskom. While further load shedding has not yet taken place, Eskom’s supply is still under enormous strain and it will be several years before projects to generate more energy are underway. Until then, the entire country will be in short supply and severe electricity cuts are possible. It is therefore critical that larger electricity savings are achieved throughout the municipality.

The eThekwini Municipality has therefore embarked on an energy saving campaign that will encourage all residents and business alike to save electricity. This will be done through education, creating awareness and encouraging responsibility for everyone to make a difference. The awareness and education campaign will begin this weekend with teams of performing artists doing sketches at major shopping centres and major events in key areas over the peak festive season.

“Switch off. Unplug. Save. I pledge to save 10%” has been selected as the campaign identity. The objective of this identity is to get each household and business to save 10% electricity.

“We would like all consumers, residents and businesses, to embrace this challenge, to pledge their support to save 10% for the sustainable future of Durban,” said Deputy Mayor, Cllr Logie Naidoo. “Worldwide, energy consumption continues to grow at an alarming rate. It is time for government, business and residents to take responsibility for their consumption and vow to do their bit to become smart consumers by conserving where possible, seeking cleaner alternatives and acknowledging and addressing the negative impacts of our chosen lifestyles.”

The campaign will specifically target the heavy users who make up about 65 000 households who use more than 1 000 kW per month and 40 000 small business/commercial users.

Families within the LSM 7- 10 bracket will be targeted, as will prepaid electricity customers within the LSM 5 –6 bracket, who purchase more than R100 credit at a time.

The residential sector can easily make a larger than 10% saving per household if basic saving measures are employed. As a result the residential sector can have a significant impact on overall electricity savings within the city,” said Deputy City Manager: Procurement and Infrastructure, Mr Derek Naidoo.

“The eThekwini Municipality itself is taking a number of actions to address this issue including reducing its own electricity usage and promoting reduction in consumption within large industrial organisations. However only small reductions have been achieved in the residential and small business sectors,” he said.

Leading by example, the eThekwini Municipality has taken a proactive stance in the drive to save 10% of the electricity it currently consumes.
A pilot energy saving project has been appropriately initiated at the Electricity Headquarters building as a start to this campaign. Thus far a saving of 50 000 kWh per month, which results in a saving of R25 000 per month has been achieved. This also has a very positive impact on the environment. The reduction in energy consumption at the Electricity building, achieved only by the modification of air-conditioners, results in a reduction of 200 tons of carbon dioxide per year.

Other measurers that are put in place include the separation of light circuits and an intelligent building management system, which is currently being installed.

The eThekwini Municipality has also earmarked R 8 000 000-00 for a similar rollout to 250 of Council’s biggest buildings.

The eThekwini Municipality invites every citizen to take the pledge and promise to ‘Switch off, unplug, and save 10%’.

For further information on how to save electricity go to ww.durban.gov.za and click on the energy saving logo.

For media comment contact:
Mr Deena Govender, Manager: Commercial Engineering and Marketing
Cell 082 569 3126, Office –
Tel: 031 311 9204

Issued by: eThekwini Municipality Communications Department.
Contact: Sohana Singh
Tel 031 3112044
E-mail: singhsohana@durban.gov.za
Cell: 083 3090207

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Last modified: 15 December 2008 14:38:56.