Eskom’s conversion of electric geysers to solar-powered geysers is not performing as hoped and incentives were needed to make certain that individuals actively take up the process, according to Gauteng local government MEC Quedani Dorothy Mahlangu at the Greenbuilding Conference and Exhibition held in Midrand this week.
Calling for South African’s to come up with alternative ways to conserve resources, such as water and electricity, for future generations, she said, “It is not only about retrofitting of households, but also industries and looking into the concept of smart metering. By far, retrofitting of households will not significantly reduce the energy consumption compared with that of businesses or large offices, however, in households we are concerned about the rolling out of solar-powered geysers.”
The local government looked for ways to finance different models, but the availability of solar-powered geysers presents an obstacle.
“We have to look at increasing capacity in this country, through manufacturing facilities. Currently we can produce about 10,000 [solar-powered geysers] a year,” said Mahlangu.
“Pricing of gas is one of the major stumbling blocks. The gas industry in South Africa is a monopoly, and we are working with different stakeholders to look into introducing competition into the industry aimed at reducing the gas prices,” she added.