Question NW9 to the Minister of Small Business Development
19 April 2017 - NW9
Chance, Mr R to ask the Minister of Small Business Development
(1)With reference to the transversal agreement her department intends to sign with the Department of Energy concerning the National Solar Water Heating Programme, (a) when will this agreement be (i) signed and (ii) implemented, (b) how many businesses and co-operatives will either be effected or created by this programme, (c) what ratio of new to existing businesses and co-operatives will be used in this programme and (d) how many sustainable jobs will be created in each of the (i) skilled, (ii) semi-skilled and (iii) unskilled job categories; (2) how many high and low pressure solar water heaters (a) were installed in the 2015-16 financial year and (b) since 1 April 2016 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; (3) what are the expected annual electricity savings in kilowatt once the specified programme is complete?”
Reply:
1. (a) The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed as soon as the Department of Energy has completed the vetting process. It is anticipated that implementation will happen shortly after the MoU has been signed by both parties.
(b) The programme will benefit 200 small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) and Cooperatives.
(c) The programme will utilise the existing pool of SMMEs and Cooperatives in the Department and its agencies databases. It is proposed that 70% of opportunities will be given to existing and experienced SMMEs, while 30% of opportunities will be afforded to start-up small enterprises.
(d) The estimated numbers are approximately 5000 jobs per SMME amongst which target groupings would include semi-skilled personnel (informal plumbers, artisans, etc) and qualified personnel from Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) colleges.
2. According to the Department of Energy (DoE), the last installation took place on 30 June 2015. Up to 30 June 2015, the DoE reported approximately 422 429 Solar Water Heater installations nationally. Since 1 April 2016, no installations have been recorded.
3. The programme will reduce energy consumption by about 55GWh per month which would potentially displace the use of expensive diesel by 12% every month.