City Of Cape Town Media Release 3rd August 2009

Use less electricity – it ensures the supply and saves you money

After another round of national price increases for electricity, which came into effect at the beginning of July, many Cape Town residents are agonising over how to pay their higher electricity costs.

Alderman Clive Justus, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Utility Services, says we can avoid most of the increases and ensure the continuity of our supply by making a concerted effort to use less electricity.

He said Capetonians have done well in the past year to reduce the overall demand for electricity by about 5%, but most of us can still do much more.

Residents should firstly be aware of the recently approved Council budget and tariffs for the 2009/2010 financial year and that, following a national determination, the price increase for electricity increased by around 34 % from 1 July.

“The peak demand occurs between six and ten o’clock in the mornings and again in the evenings. If we all try to reduce our power consumption, particularly at these times, then the possibility of blackouts will be significantly reduced and we will at the same time, save on our own electricity useage.

Geysers can be a substantial source of savings, particularly if they are insulated, because they lose very little heat if they are switched off during these peak times. At the same time, turn down the thermostat to a comfortable 55 degrees and don’t run hot water un-necessarily. Anything which comes out of the hot tap has to be replaced by putting cold water into the geyser and heating this takes a lot of your money,” he said.

Replacing tungsten filament light bulbs with energy efficient compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) will substantially reduce electricity consumption. Furthermore, although they are more expensive than the tungsten filament light bulbs, the CFLs last much longer and quickly pay for themselves through electricity savings.

Alderman Justus said another way to make substantial electricity savings, is to fill the kettle with only the amount of water you need to use when you make tea, coffee or other hot beverages. “And how about putting a quilt or blanket over your knees and switching off those inefficient electric bar and space heaters when watching TV – after all, we keep warm in bed in winter by adding an extra blanket.”

“Capetonians responded magnificently when water-saving measures became imperative during the drought a few years ago and we need to be just as successful in reducing our electricity demand and our electricity costs now,” Alderman Justus said.

“If we all make the necessary effort now to reduce our electricity usage, the tariff increases can be minimised. What still looms over us, however, is the request by Eskom for further increases in electricity prices over the next few years,” Justus said.


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Issued by: communication department, city of Cape Town

Media enquiries: Alderman Clive Justus, Tel 021 400 1206 or Cell 083 628 4136