Cape tackles climate change through the sun

The Western Cape is leading the way in tackling climate change and energy efficiency with their launch of the country’s first solar water geyser project.

Speaking at the launch held in Riversdale last month, Minerals and Energy Minister Buyelwa Sonjica said, "The use of solar energy, which is a renewable energy source, will assist us in reducing the load of pressure on the national electricity grid.”

The first 60 of 240 Eskom-accredited solar geysers were installed in the KwaNokuthula community in Riversdale with more to follow in areas such as Nyanga, Elsies Rivier and Atlantis.

The Western Cape government aims to install 1 000 solar geysers in order to help save 500MW per day.

Sonjica added however that the project was not only a response to the current energy crisis but a sustainable long term investment for South Africa.

Western Cape MEC for Environmental Affairs and Economic Development Tasneem Essop says that the project will tackle three emergencies faced by the Western Cape and the rest of the world; namely climate change, energy saving and poverty.

“The launch of this solar water geyser legacy project is an attempt by the Provincial Government of the Western Cape to bring renewable energy into our poorer areas,” she told Engineering News.

“We have conducted research on climate change and we know that the parts of our community that will be hardest hit by climate change are the poor.”

Earlier this year Eskom announced their solar powered water heater incentive programme. The programme is aimed at urging consumers to move towards renewable sources of energy, through a cost-incentive programme.

Eskom has compiled a list of solar water heater suppliers. The accredited suppliers offer solar water heating solutions at discount prices.

The Good News- South africa