The DA expressed its concern about the losses farmers are incurring due to Eskom’s power cuts. “Agriculture is the cornerstone of South Africa’s economy and unless immediate solutions are put forward to help farmers cope with these power cuts, this industry faces tough times,” said Advocate Hendrik Schmidt, DA spokesperson on minerals and energy.
According to the DA, the key to securing South Africa’s energy future lies in diversification. The party’s proposed short- and medium-term solutions including solar and wind power, and tax exemptions for generators. The cost of solar water heaters (SWH), which reduce a typical household’s electricity consumption by up to 30%, can, according to Schmidt, be cut by a combination of economies of scale, carbon funding, and Eskom tax incentives. Because SWHs are more affordable, the DA proposes passing metro by-laws that include installing in all new buildings and additions to buildings, and gradually phasing in such heaters in existing buildings within the next year. S chmidt said wind power is an immediate answer to the power crisis as it is cost effective and has a short lead time.
“An estimated 10 000MW of wind power could be generated in the Western Cape alone,” he said. ome farmers are purchasing generators to ensure that their production is not hindered by power outages, but Schmidt said the reality is that not every farmer can afford a generator. “It becomes essential for the government to allow tax exemptions on generators, and certain categories of generator users need to be identified to determine their eligibility for such subsidies,” he said. chmidt disputed government’s claim that the rise in local electricity demand was as a result of SA’s economic success. According to him the power crisis is a result of the monopoly Eskom enjoys and its skills shortage.
The DA proposes that private producers are allowed to either feed power into the national grid or sell it directly to consumers. chmidt said Eskom’s skills shortage, particularly those of a technical nature, is largely attributed to the power utility’s aggressive affirmative action plan, which resulted in the mass exodus of highly skilled staff. “A complete overhaul of its employment practices is required,” he said. “The authorities in charge of electricity production need to show greater creativity and vision in coping with this crisis,” he said. – Staff reporter
