SOUTH AFRICA: Ahead of the World Cup, President Jacob Zuma has launched a solar power programme that aims to deliver electricity while reducing emissions and costs

Record ID: 452592

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Ahead of the World Cup, President Jacob Zuma has launched a solar power programme that aims to deliver electricity while reducing emissions and costs
  • Date: 7th June 2010
  • Summary: WINTERVELDT, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA (RECENT) (REUTERS) WIDE VIEW OF HOUSES WITH SOLAR GEYSERS IN WINTERVELDT TOWNSHIP CLOSEUP OF THE SOLAR HEATER MORE OF HOUSES WITH SOLAR PANELS SOLAR PANEL ON HOUSE / LAUNDRY LINE IN THE FOREGROUND MORE OF SOLAR PANELS ATTACHED TO HOMES AUDIENCE SEATED DURING LAUNCH CEREMONY WIDE VIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA ADDRESSING CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, SAYING: "What we are saying is that the renewable energy is now the thing and we must enter into it in many ways and make it work because particularly South Africa in the continent is regarded as the leading country in terms of producing emission and this is part of dealing with the economy of today. And, if it starts with us, if we do that, we reduce the process of using the coal and therefore polluting the air. And, if we work together, I am sure we can certainly do." PEOPLE LISTENING TO THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA, SAYING: "In government we are converting water heating for hospitals, clinics, prisons, barracks and other government buildings to solar water heating. You will see a lot of that happening in the next few years. Solar water heating, like most of you here have experienced, is an option that has many benefits as compared with other forms of water heating. Once installed, you have free hot water." POLICEMEN WATCHING GUARD WINTERVELDT RESIDENT, AUSTIN MALULEKE IN HIS HOUSE, OPENING HIS FRIDGE AUSTIN MALULEKE POURING A GLASS OF WATER (SOUNDBITE) (Zulu) AUSTIN MALULEKE, WINTERVELDT RESIDENT, SAYING: "I got my solar geyser last year in November. My life has changed a lot since the government has installed this geyser. I don't use too much electricity anymore. I just use electricity for cooking only, for hot water I rely the solar geyser." (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIPUO PETERS, MINISTER OF ENERGY, SAYING: "Our people have been using the lampies (paraffin lamps), candles and all different types of things. They used to say they have these things called "finya futhi" (blow again) when you blow your nose, the soot that is in your nostrils and it means that if it is in your nostrils, what about your lungs? So, they realised that the first line of benefit is in line with a healthy environment where you start breathing fresh air, on your own, in your own house. So that is one thing that they have realised." MORE OF THE HOUSES AND PEOPLE IN WINTERVELDT
  • Embargoed: 22nd June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Energy
  • Reuters ID: LVAC8LB5NGE5R6UHEHBWJKFQW60P
  • Story Text: With South Africa watched by the world's press as it prepares to host the continent's first World Cup, President Jacob Zuma has launched a Solar Water Heating Programme.
    About 270 Solar Water Heating (SWH) units have already been installed in Winterveldt, north west of Pretoria, where families use the panels to heat water for their household.
    The government says the initiative offers a cheaper and cleaner source of energy, saving money while protecting the environment.
    "Renewable energy is now the thing and we must enter into it in many ways and make it work because particularly South Africa in the continent is regarded as the leading country in terms of producing emission and this is part of dealing with the economy of today. And, if it starts with us, if we do that, we reduce the process of using the coal and therefore polluting the air," Zuma told an audience at the launch.
    South Africa is reliant on coal for 95 percent of its electricity supply, and is the worst emitter on the continent.
    The programme aims to install one million solar water heaters by 2014, saving approximately 650MW of electricity demand across the nation.
    "We are converting water heating for hospitals, clinics, prisons, barracks and other government buildings to solar water heating. You will see a lot of that happening in the next few years. Solar water heating, like most of you here have experienced, is an option that has many benefits as compared with other forms of water heating. Once installed, you have free hot water," Zuma said.
    Austin Maluleke, 36, has already benefited from the programme, as one of the residents in Winterveldt.
    He says his new solar water heater has helped him to save money, a bonus for him as he remains unemployed.
    "I got my solar geyser last year in November. My life has changed a lot since the government has installed this geyser. I don't use too much electricity anymore. I just use electricity for cooking only, for hot water I rely the solar geyser," said Maluleke.
    The Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters said the new solar geysers will also bring health benefits to the residents of Winterveldt.
    "They used to say they have these things called "finya futhi" (blow again) when you blow your nose, the soot that is in your nostrils and it means that if it is in your nostrils, what about your lungs? So, they realised that the first line of benefit is in line with a healthy environment where you start breathing fresh air, on your own, in your own house," she said.
    Phase two of the programme's installation will supply at least 10,400 additional heaters in Tshwane (Pretoria) this year.
    South Africa's national grid suffered a near collapse in early 2008, costing the country billions of dollars in lost output across all sectors as state-owned power utility Eskom enforced rolling blackouts.
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