Question NW1616 to the Minister of Energy
21 August 2017 - NW1616
Groenewald, Dr PJ to ask the Minister of Energy
(1)Whether, with reference to the answer given to question 1148 on 29 April 2016, any solar energy systems were installed in accordance with the Solar Water Heating programme in the financial years (a) 2015-16 and (b) 2016-17; if not, why not; if so, how many; (2) whether any systems were purchased; if so, (a) how many and (b) where are they being stored; (3) (a) what does it cost to store the acquired systems and (b) when will the installation be done; (4) whether she will make a declaration about the matter? NW1821E
Reply:
1) (a) and (b) No, as indicated in question 1148, the procurement process on the installations had not yet begun. The delay in the installation process is premised on the need to finalize the necessary controls and systems to mitigate the occurrence of the problems experienced in the previous rollout model. The systems include (i) a GPS verification and tracking system, that will enable the recording (photographic and locational) of each installed system, (ii) the signing of the municipal framework agreement, to ensure that there is buy-in by the municipality, (iii) the identification of the Designated Installation Area (DIA) within the municipality, which is sized according to the number of systems to be installed within the municipality, (iv) the identification of the installers from the DIA (v) the registration for accredited training of the installers identified from the DIA and (vi) the social facilitation to ensure that the beneficiary community has been exposed to the operational requirements of solar water heater systems, and to align community expectations through the Social Facilitation platform.
2) Yes
(a) 59 396 units were purchased as at 03 April 2017.
(b) The units are safely kept at various locations secured by the manufacturers. This is in accordance with the Supply Agreement that each manufacturer has signed, in terms of which the manufacturer assumes full responsibility of the systems until they have been installed.
3) (a) For the first 3 months the manufacturer keeps the systems under storage at no additional cost. After the 3 months, the storage costs average R2 per system per day.
(b) The installation programmes at Tlokwe/Ventersdorp (North West), Sol Plaatje (Northern Cape), Bitou (Western Cape) have been initiated insofar as (1) (i),(ii),(iii),(vi). The identification of the installers for purposes of training is expected to be completed by July 2017.
4) The Solar Water Heating programme is one of the key programmes of the Department of Energy in the context of the Energy Mix objective of the energy plan. Therefore the Minister, from time to time, will make pronouncements as part of the implementation process.