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W Cape explores ways to lessen load shedding

Cape Town – The Western Cape government, the City of Cape Town and businesses in the region are working on measures to minimise the impact of load shedding on the economy.

“We have started engaging with businesses to see what will work,” Ministry of Economic Opportunities spokesperson Bronwynne Jooste told Fin24 on Tuesday.

Save this load shedding planner: GridWatch

“The proposals include the demand response system where a group of consumers immediately reduce their consumption to possibly avoid load shedding," said Jooste. "These are still only proposals and we are working to have an action plan to take to Cabinet by August.”

At the Western Cape’s annual Government Meets Business event, which focused on energy security, there was a strong emphasis on alternative energy generation as a key focus area in formulating an action plan to achieve energy security.

“Some companies highlighted their ability to generate and feed into the grid and to reduce their electricity demand when urgently needed,” the Department of Economic Opportunities said in a statement.

The event resulted in proposals, which government and business leaders will review in six months to develop into an action plan.

Potential immediate measures include:

- Using the design of the load shedding schedule to minimise impact on business;

- Setting up a contracted demand response system where a group of customers are paid to immediately reduce their power consumption when instructed; and

- Using city controlled levers to reduce pressure on the electricity system, for example geyser ripple control, where geysers are automatically switched off to take pressure off the system.

Potential short- to medium-term measures include:
 
- Facilitating rooftop solar photovoltaic on buildings in the city. The system comprises electricity-generating solar panels mounted on the rooftops of residential or commercial buildings where producers can sell surplus electricity back into the grid.

- Signing power purchasing agreements with Independent Power Producers for renewables and gas.

- Increasing installations, through collaboration with stakeholders, of solar water heaters and heat pumps in households and buildings.

- Introducing time of use tariffs, for example enabling load shifting by charging batteries during off-peak hours when power demand is low and electricity is cheaper, for use during the day (peak time) when demand is higher.

-  Government will introduce efficient energy use initiatives at its buildings.

* Be a part of the load shedding survival guide. Tell us how your business or household is responding to the power crisis or share ideas that could stimulate action.

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