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The South African cabinet has called on the nation to reduce electricity consumption as part of the Demand Side Management initiatives.
This, as Cabinet called on the nation to lower electricity usage, especially during periods of high energy consumption, typically from 5 pm to 9 pm.
"By lowering our consumption we can create a win-win situation that both reduces pressure on the power grid and saves households money without affecting business productivity or quality of life," said Minister of the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.
The Minister was addressing a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Friday.
"Cabinet calls on everyone to assist in saving electricity by using it sparingly while Eskom works with Independent
Power Producers to bring new capacity online."
Demand Side Management measures are a global phenomenon and have proved effective in reducing peak demand and promoting energy conservation.
"We have demonstrated this during the 2010 World Cup. The aim is that collectively we must save electricity by switching off non-essential appliances, using gas to cook, installing energy-efficient light bulbs and switching off appliances like geysers when not in use," Ntshavheni said.
According to Ntshavheni, the target is to save about 1000 MW of power which is equivalent to one stage of load shedding.
"Cabinet notes that a number of large customers are already participating in Eskom's Demand Side initiatives," she said.
Following its first Demand-Side Management Indaba this week, Eskom said it would be ramping up these initiatives in order to better manage the supply and demand of electricity.
(SAnews.gov.za)
