Joburg considers efficient energy management

According to The Star, City Mayor Amos Masondo says this will include the introduction of measures such as the use of solar energy and the installation of energy-efficient equipment in major installations in water and waste-water networks. The city has set itself a target to provide alternative sources of energy such as solar power and gas to at least 20% of consumers over the medium term. Full report in The Star

Meanwhile, City Power is looking at attracting nearly R2bn in public private partnership projects to help it cope with electricity demand, says Ros Greeff, Johannesburg mayoral committee member on infrastructure and services. According to a report in Business Day, the programme would also demand that the company augment its engineering skills. More than 70% of electricity power cuts in the city last year were caused by ageing power infrastructure, some of which dates back to the 1940s. Louis Pieterse, City Power\'s GM for supply availability, said the utility had had to cope with supply shortages from Eskom, from which the city buys 97% of its electricity. Full report in Business Day