Eskom says it is ramping up its new demand-side management (DSM) initiatives to better manage the supply and demand of electricity in South Africa.
The power utility held its first National Demand Side Management Indaba in Gauteng on Monday to discuss the electricity crisis and plans to fix the problem.
Eskom chairperson, Mpho Makwana, told delegates at the Indaba that the DSM initiatives would assist the power utility to reduce pressure on the system during peak hours as well as give consumers the opportunity to save on electricity bills.
“The effective implementation of the DSM programmes could create a win-win situation – reducing pressure on the power system and enabling consumers to realise cost savings by being more energy conscious and reducing their consumption without affecting business productivity or quality of life,” he said.
The power utility has embarked on several initiatives such as energy saving through promoting the use of compact fluorescent lights, energy efficiency, demand response, distributed generation and energy storage.
Makwana said demand-side initiatives had been implemented all over the world and produced results.
“DSM is not a South African concept. It is global phenomenon with the best-in-class countries already using technology to manage demand. The array of policy measures to incentivise demand-side participation, promote energy conservation and reduce peak demand can be replicated in our country,” he said.
He called on consumers and businesses to implement energy-saving initiatives to help Eskom to reduce the strain on the power grid.
“DSM programmes can be more effective through a collaborative approach. I’d like to acknowledge and thank our large customers who are participating in Eskom’s DSM initiatives. We’d like to encourage and invite all stakeholders from businesses and industries to residential customers to come on board,” Makwana said.– SAnews.gov.za
