Eskom opts for solar power at EL office
IN THE midst of load-shedding and high electricity prices, national energy utility Eskom is looking at alternative sources of energy to power its offices.
Solar panels are currently being put up at Sunilaws Office Park in Beacon Bay and the project was scheduled to be commissioned at the start of this month.
Eskom’s Lyndon Collins said the installation of energy-efficient equipment and alternative power generating equipment was nothing new. In fact, it was part of Eskom’s national energy efficiency internal strategy.
“Two years ago the Eastern Cape installed internal energy efficient lights and solar water heating.
“This year Eskom has identified Eskom buildings across different provinces to be utilised for the installation of photovoltaic panels that will generate electricity through solar energy,” said Collins.
According to the Eskom website, a similar exercise had already been conducted at their largest commercial facility, Megawatt Park, a few years ago.
At the end of 2011, photovoltaic panels producing up to 350 kilowatts were to be installed at the office’s visitors’ parking area.
The panels were set to generate enough power to light up to two floors of the building.
Justifying this move, the site further states the power utility “decided to ‘practise what it preaches’ by demonstrating best-practice in energy efficiency and committing to a 15% reduction in non-essential energy consumption by 2015”.
The site further states the stateowned enterprise adopted a six-step approach across the country.
Among these was the auditing of the footprint and installation of metering technology, upgrading lighting and making other load reductions such as water heating and office equipment.
Collins said Eskom Renewable was installing 534 solar panels at the East London office park using a company called Beda Elements JV.
The panels will generate 165 kilowatts, “which is a quarter of the building’s consumption.
“This is part of reducing the building’s electricity bill, and contributing to the reduction of Eskom’s carbon footprint.”
A number of businesses across the city close shop during loadshedding as many do not have generators or power alternatives.
Public hospitals in the Eastern Cape have been urged to ensure their generators were functional.
“Eskom continues to encourage South Africans to utilise alternative sources of energy to reduce the strain on the national grid.
“This is Eskom’s way of contributing towards that call.”—