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2 February 2009

Efforts to ensure that communities access electricity supply without any major disruptions are continuing. This follows power cuts which were experienced by consumers around the same period last year period. Consultations with electricity utility, Eskom have been made and the provincial energy risk management committee has been set up. Municipalities in this province have also undertaken to play their part fully in conserving energy. Theirs include the critical role of promoting and enforcing the new energy efficiency guidelines to households and businesses, as well as introducing and installing solar power to back up traffic lights in their areas, and to minimise traffic inconveniences amongst others.

Fourteen municipalities have introduced interventions such as providing communities with energy saving bulbs to replace the normal ones, installing solar panels as well as encouraging communities to implement energy saving methods such as switching of geysers at certain times. There are currently at 583 505 households with access to electricity in the province and a total of 219 375 households have access to free basic electricity. The province is committed to contribute to the national effort to ensure energy efficiency. Steps are underway in this province to ensure that government buildings maximise electricity efficiency.

For enquiries contact:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931

Issued by: Department of Local Government, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
2 March 2009