'Consumers must save power'

2008-01-31 09:48

Johannesburg - It is critical that South Africans respond to the energy-saving proposals made by the government for industrial, commercial and residential consumers, the ANC said on Tuesday.

"The success of the programme taken by the government to improve power efficiency depends on the contribution of all South Africans and sectors," the ANC's national working committee (NWC) said in a statement.

The NWC, which met in Johannesburg on Monday, said it had thrown its full weight behind government's National Electricity Emergency Programme.

"As part of the nation-wide effort to tackle the country's electricity shortage the ANC will mobilise every ANC minister, deputy minister, member of parliament, member of a provincial legislature, councillor, organiser, member and supporter behind this effort."

This followed the decision of the ANC national executive committee Lekgotla last week to make this response a centrepiece of the movement's mass work for 2008.

"The NWC was briefed by Minister of Minerals and Energy, Buyelwa Sonjica on government's urgent and extensive response to the current electricity situation."

The national plan outlined basic action that could be taken by households, companies and government departments to immediately and significantly reduce usage.

'Positive response'

"This includes the introduction of more energy-efficient lighting, the replacement of energy-inefficient appliances, greater use of solar water heating and solar energy, and practices like turning off household geysers during peak times.

"We were encouraged by the positive response from stakeholders and, in particular, from members of the public, who are determined to ensure that the country overcomes this challenge," said the NWC.

The NWC was reassured that every effort would be made to ensure that no emergency or essential services would be affected by the power shortages.

It called on all South Africans to support the energy efficiency initiatives to manage the current electricity crisis.

The ANC applauded the initiatives undertaken by the Gauteng province of establishing a provincial forum comprising local government, Eskom and other stakeholders to deal with the electricity emergency.

"We urge other provinces to undertake similar initiatives."

- SAPA