Question NW684 to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
10 March 2023 - NW684
Msimang, Prof CT to ask the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy
In light of the fact that electric geysers are usually the highest electricity consuming appliances in homes accounting for about 30% to 40% of electricity used, what are the full details of the (a) roll-out of solar geysers to date, (b) feedback on their effectiveness and (c)(i) plans and (ii) time frames of the roll-out of solar geysers going forward?
Reply:
a) What are the full details of the roll-out of solar geysers to date:
The DMRE procured 87 206 Solar Water Heaters (SWH) manufactured by local companies. These were meant to be installed in 19 Municipalities but 15 have remained on the programme. The participating municipalities have to provide beneficiary list for the allocated units. The beneficiaries are mainly indigen households or low income households who did not have geysers before. The Department together with CEF has installed 22 002 SWH in 15 municipalities.
b) What is the feedback on their effectiveness?
All units installed are functioning well. Noting that the installation is mainly on houses that did not have geysers before, the effectiveness in terms of electricity saved cannot be calculated as they were not on the grid before installation.
(c)(i) What are the Plans to install
The first bid to install was closed and service providers appointed. Installation under phase one of the installation has been completed in Mossel Bay, Bitou and nearly completed in Mahikeng. A total of 22 002 SWH have been installed.
The final bid to install the outstanding systems has been issued, closed, evaluated, adjudicated in January 2023 and the Department is in the process of appointing service providers to install on the last phase of the project. A total of 42 service providers has been approved.
(ii) Time frames of the roll-out of solar geysers going forward?
It is anticipated that the installation phase will be completed in 8 months noting that the
Department has approved more service providers now.