Solar water heater plan
IN AN EFFORT to reduce the demand on the city’s power supply, ethekwini Municipality has approved a plan to roll out a water heater project to all residents.
The executive committee met this week and unveiled its national solar water heater programme, which it plans to implement in the near future.
Funded by the national department of energy affairs, the geyser system will be installed in homes by city contractors.
Higher income earning families receive the system at a subsidised rate
For those unable to afford the system, the initiative has a social upliftment aspect which would make available fully subsidised geysers.
Tozi Mthethwa, the city spokesperson, said the department approached the municipality to participate in the initiative with a view to job creation and as an energy saving exercise.
“The full subsidy will cover both installation and maintenance of fitted systems.
“The areas served will be identified by the city and the final approval made by the Department of Energy,” said Mthethwa.
The department had previously installed solar water heaters. It ended in 2012, and about 30 000 units were installed.
This programme is expected to have no direct financial costs for the city as it would use existing staff resources, especially in setting it up.
Chairperson of the human settlements and infrastructure committee, Mondli Mthembu, said there would be regular updates on the project.
“We will ensure that the distribution will be done considering the poorest of the poor Anastasia Caude so that geysers are installed where it is needed most,” he said.