While organised Agriculture is working closely with Eskom to mitigate the effects of possible power cuts for the coming summer production season, farmers are concerned that the power utility’s energy saving targets for users are based on 2006 consumption figures.
“Many farmers have expanded their operations in the period between 2006 and now, so their usage is substantially higher than in 2006,” said Carl Opperman CEO of Agri Wes-Cape. Organised agriculture hopes that the good relationship that farmers’ unions have built up with Eskom in recent months will stand them in good stead. Opperman said that the grain, fruit and wine industries have submitted lists with the different production areas and the times when electricity would be crucial to them. “In the event of load shedding, Eskom could then be sensitive to these areas according to the specific stages of production at the time,” said Opperman.
“We have a positive working relationship with Eskom, and communicate on a regular basis.” A nnetjie Swannepoel, a spokesperson for Eskom, confirmed that Eskom and organised agriculture are working together in order tor try to manage the potential problems of load shedding. “But obviously, any unforeseen breakdown in supply is impossible to predict,” said Swannepoel. – Wouter Kriel
