Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa November 2019 | Page 49

ESKOM LOAD SHEDDING
TIMELINE
The country has seen a
number of black-outs due to
Eskom’s inability to sustain
power supply for 92.7%
households that had access to
electricity, (StatsSA 2016)
NOV 2007
– JAN 2008
Reason: High demand for
electricity in the country
MARCH 2014
Depletion of coal
stockpiles
JAN 2015
– SEPT 2015
As a result of the
mounting pressure;
99 days
of power cuts
JUNE 2018
Stage
1
load shedding
NOV 2018
– DEC 2018
Stage
FEB 2019
Stage
2
load shedding
High number of plant
outages
2 & 4
load shedding
Plants break down
and utility needs R69
billion in order to
sustain power supply
MARCH 2019
Consecutive 7 days of
stage 2 and stage 4
electricity outages.
OCTOBER 2019
Due to a shortage
of capacity Eskom
implements loadshedding
Managing Director at Flanagan & Gerard property
development and Investment, Paul Gerard, said: “Energy
saving and going green are primary drivers for us, as we bring
these shopping centers in line with the philosophy of making a
positive environmental impact by using renewable resources.”
Following the highly inconvenient Eskom load shedding,
more developers feel the need to lend a hand in reducing
the pressure exerted, by the country's citizens, on this power
utility. “Although South Africa is growing at a rapid rate in the
alternative energy sector, we are not growing fast enough
to relieve some of the pressure experienced by Eskom," said
Gerard. With Eskom recently implementing load shedding
again, developers believe that the private sector has a
responsibility to continue to accelerate the expansion of
renewable energy.
Gerard adds: “There is uncertainty around Eskom and its
ability to meet demand. We firmly believe that; as the private
sector, we have a responsibility to continue to accelerate
the expansion of renewable energy. The reduction of CO2
emissions is a major benefit of using the alternative energy
sources, and having our own independent supply comes with
the added benefit of having more control over that supply.”
The installation of solar power appears to be effective where
Flanagan & Gerard have expanded the use of solar power at
some of their shopping centres. "It is worth noting that since
the installation Vaal Mall's entrance five where the carports are
located has gone from being the least used parking area and
entrance to the busiest," said Gerard.
Throughout the continent, more ecofriendly solutions
are becoming commonplace within the hospitality sector.
Nambwa Tented Lodge and Kazile Island Lodge in Namibia
operate 100% off solar power 24 hours a day. Remote lodges
are increasingly turning to solar power rather than diesel to
operate off-grid.
The provider of customised rooftop solar photovoltaic
solutions is currently completing a number of solar projects in
Namibia and South Africa through a rent-to-own model that
makes it possible for businesses, like lodges and shopping
centers, to completely switch to solar power or supplement
grid power with no capital outlay. With this, the lodges pay
only for the green power generated by the solar installation.
“Namibia’s hot dry climate and abundant sunshine for over
300 days per year make it an ideal spot to harness the energy
of the sun,” says Senior Engineer for SolarSaver Group, Stefan
Kleemann.
“These lodges are in remote natural landscapes and are
not connected to the national grid. Previously, the lodges
were generating power on-site using diesel generators, which
generate hazardous exhaust gases and noise, as well as being
costly due to the high cost of maintenance and fuel transport
to remote destinations. Solar power provides a peaceful, green
solution that has the added advantage of saving costs,” he said.
SA Real Estate Investor Magazine NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
47