Local governments play a crucial role in addressing the energy crisis by providing solutions and collaborating with the Western Cape Government (WCG). Municipalities are responsible for service delivery, which is severely impacted during power blackouts. To combat the crisis, provinces must focus on protecting essential services and seeking alternative sources of energy.
Mossel Bay Municipality’s Measures
In the 19th Energy Digicon hosted by Premier Alan Winde, Executive Mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderman Dirk Kotze, shared the municipality’s efforts to maintain critical services for residents amid load-shedding. Short and long-term measures include:
- Replacing streetlights with energy-efficient LED bulbs and installing solar lighting at public ablution facilities
- Incorporating solar geysers in new housing projects
- Equipping traffic lights at some intersections with uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems
- Utilizing emergency generators to safeguard services like sanitation and water treatment
- Establishing the Groot Brak River hydropower project
- Implementing a rooftop solar strategy
- Planning for a 30 MW solar plant
Gas-to-power projects are also under consideration, as the municipality engages in discussions with PetsoSA. Generating about 180 MW of gas-produced energy could be a quick solution to the current crisis.
Emergency Funding and Load-Shedding Kits
Mossel Bay is installing three generators to ensure continuous service delivery during load-shedding, with emergency funding from the WCG. The municipality is also investing in the development of mini-grids located near municipal infrastructure, such as waterworks. These hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can produce 1 MW of power.
Premier Winde emphasized the importance of supporting municipalities with the necessary resources and guidance to make daily life more manageable for residents during blackouts. One intervention by the WCG is the rollout of load-shedding kits designed to help indigent households. In the coming days, the WCG plans to distribute over 400,000 load-shedding kits to indigent households across the province.
Mossel Bay Municipality’s efforts demonstrate the importance of collaboration between local governments and the WCG in tackling the energy crisis and ensuring essential services remain unaffected during blackouts. By investing in alternative energy sources and reducing reliance on Eskom, the province can work towards a more sustainable future. To watch a recording of the 19th Energy Digicon, visit the following links:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGFRi3KiUrI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjMaUG16PqM&t=3s
