Alternative Energy is the way forward for the SAWDOS

SAWDOS Mossel Bay: The SAWDOS received several emails from our readers relating to the topic: Alternative Power: SAWDOS DIY Wind Turbine Project available HERE.

They want to know why the SAWDOS choose to go the alternative energy route?  Now I have clearly indicated in previous topics that the SAWDOS is not prepared to pay high tariffs for electricity when their is many alternative methods to generate you own power.  The SAWDOS started to researched energy supply and alternative energy methods when the country experienced its first blackouts as a result of power shortage in the country.   I have come to the conclusion that we (the end user) will pay absorbent prices  for electricity in future while others steal electricity at will and nothing happens to the perpetrators.   I have looked at other discriminating tariffs relating to the usage of electricity in different areas and came to the conclusion that I subsidies other electricity users .   Be as it may I found that people of this country are going to pay more and more for electricity in future.   I believe that going the alternative energy route is the answer to many who feel that they are being sucked dry by Eskom while others do not pay for electricity at all.

The latest indication of further price hikes comes from the Eskom's CEO Brian Dames on Tuesday.  He said:

"Turning to tariffs, Dames said South Africa's electricity prices were not yet cost-effective. Increases over a longer period of time, matching the rise in inflation, was where tariff increases should eventually settle. He said if increased capacity was created, it had to be paid for."

Herewith the related article:

Decisions on energy supply need to be made now: Eskom

Decisions on South Africa's future energy supply should be made early to cope with rising demand, Eskom CEO Brian Dames said on Tuesday.

"We must decide now to build the next power plant. We must not make the mistake to build when it is too late," he told the African Utility Week exhibition in Johannesburg.

With urbanisation and technology pushing up electricity demand world-wide, investing in infrastructure was important.

Dames said South Africa's concerns about energy supply would subside as capacity to generate power increased, but other countries in Africa were not so fortunate. It was in the country's interest to facilitate increased power capacity on the continent.

Turning to tariffs, Dames said South Africa's electricity prices were not yet cost-effective. Increases over a longer period of time, matching the rise in inflation, was where tariff increases should eventually settle.

He said if increased capacity was created, it had to be paid for.

The growth in energy supply needed to be more efficient and address climate change while keeping the lights on, Dames said.

- Times Live