Current Edition >> Archive Section >> Special Features >> May 2008
Eskom power shortages
Amidst all the raging controversy over the inability by Eskom to supply in South Africa's electricity power needs, there is also a positive side and that is the rush to develop alternative power sources independent from Eskom. That means a push to diversify power supply sources in the country.
For long Eskom has been viewed as almost the only – and infallible – supplier of electricity and that to a virtual unlimited extent, but suddenly the feet of clay of the giant supplier have been exposed. Now people and also the entire business sector, including mining and agriculture, are scrambling for alternatives.
New looks are being cast upon solar power, wind, generators, nuclear, hydro, etc. In particular forms of renewable energy are high on the agenda.
In this special feature a glimpse is provided of alternative options available for Free Staters, especially the business sector.
Since the energy crisis in SA is to be with us for a long time, it is the intention of the Free State Business Bulletin to keep a regular focus on this subject.
Generators: Points to consider
When acquiring generators for various purposes to alleviate power shedding, it is important to consider some cardinal points:
Ensure that the product comes from a manufacturer with good standing and in this regard European and American models are still mostly the best. It has been found that generators imported from China, although often cheaper, lack the quality and after-sales service of Western counterparts.
The environmentally friendliness of generators is also a salient feature to consider. Worldwide so-called green consciousness is also forcing manufacturers of generators to comply with their products. Environmental legislation is also getting stricter and it would be advisable to buy generators that would not run into trouble in this respect.
It is also critical to buy the right type and size of generator for the right purpose, especially in business and industry. Generators for enterprises vary in size from 50 to 60 kVA to 900 kVA. An average restaurant uses 150 kVA and a small supermarket up to 250 kVA. It is also important to establish whether generators kick in automatically or need to be started up manually.
Although pricing is a large variable, it could be possible to obtain generators which are cost-effectively fully synchronised with Eskom power when Eskom would cut supply to the enterprise with between 10% and 30%. Thus the generator shoud run concurrently with Eskom power when necessary to complement any shortages.
Another tendency is that enterprises rather acquire four generators of 500 kVA instead of one big one of 2 000 kVA. The four generators are synchronised to run as demand varies, which results in a saving of fuel and less exhaust fumes.
These are merely guidelines and entrepreneurs and residential owners are advised to consult reliable experts when considering purchasing suitable generators.
Centlec and Eskom still negotiate load shedding
According to media reports Centlec at Bloemfontein is still negotiating with Eskom about load shedding in its distribution area. The executive engineering manager of Centlec, Mr. Leon Kritzinger, is of the opinion that load shedding is in fact using more power than when not implemented. Switching on and off consumes more power than an uninterrupted supply. Another factor is that load shedding brings about more costly maintenance on equipment.
Kritzinger is also pointing out that satisfactory levels of electricity saving have been achieved lately in the Centlec distribution area and that this makes power shedding redundant. He furthermore states that Centlec is aiming to exercise sufficient “load control” through ripple-controlling units by which Centlec can switch geysers on and off at will.
The Free State Business Bulletin endeavoured to secure inputs from Centlec and Eskom on this matter, but it would appear that since they are still locked in negotiations, neither wants to make public media statements.
Barloworld going for heavyweight generators
It is reported that Barloworld Equipment plans to import this year Caterpillar generators to a total of more than 500 MW for delivering to its large mining customers, as well as to shopping complexes, hospitals, clinics and other industrial sites. It is aimed to increase this import capcity next year to 1 000 MW.
For more information in this regard, Barloworld Equipment can be contacted at (011) 898 0206 or tvetter@barloworld-equipment.com.
Solar water heaters can go long way
Solar water heaters installed in normal residential houses and townhouses can go a long way in saving conventional electricity consumption. A manufacturer in the Free State with more than 20 years' experience in this product line, is Willi's Energy Savers at Ladybrand.
Their products provides roughly 15 times as much power as an electric set for the same price, while it is excellent in reducing the effects of power cuts. On top of that their products are freeze tolerant and requires no anti-freeze, making it particularly cost-effective.
It is important for consumers to be aware that they buy only solar-powered geysers approved by the SA Bureau of Standards and that these products be installed by a qualified technician.
When installing such geysers, the roof pitch should be as close as possible to 38° north facing, more or less 11° true north. It is also a “golden rule” that these systems should be designed to work best during winter times. Certainty about availability of after-sales service is also important.
For more information Willi Sureman can be contacted at (051) 924 3038.e main achievement of the entire exercise was the capacitating of 15 emerging entrepreneurs to become job providers instead of job seekers – as such a small but significant step towards a turnaround of the unemployment problem in the Free State.
The Free State to shine at Indaba 2008
The Free State province is expected to shine brighter than ever before at this year's International Tourism Indaba Exhibition in Durban from 10 – 14 May. The large stand for the province has again been professionally planned by the Free State Tourism Authority (FSTA), covering all five districts in the province, represented by the respective district municipalities. However, this year the focus at the stand is on tourist attractions and destinations, rather than regional demarcations.
According to the Marketing Manager of FSTA, Mr. Khotso Thole, the basic idea is to splash the Free State as a province containing many excellent and unique tourist attractions, thus constituting a tourist destination in its own right. 35 tourism product owners from the province have been selected according to set criteria to participate in the Free State stand.
Thole also says the significance of the Free State for the 2010 FIFA hosting will also feature prominently, while the new corporate identity of the FSTA as well as its new website will be launched at the Free State's Indaba exhibition.
A number of key persons in the tourism sector, the political arena and from the media – national as well as international – is being invited to attend the Free State stand at Indaba.
The intention is really to make a breakthrough for the Free State at Indaba 2008.
Free State Tourism Conference 5-6 May '08 in Bloemfontein
High expectations are being held for the Free State Provincial Tourism Value Chain Conference scheduled for 5 – 6 May 2008 in Bloemfontein. To be hosted by the Department of Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs, the conference has as theme “Unlocking tourism potential and value chain opportunities in the province.” The venue is the Bloemfontein City Hall including satellite halls attached to the Bram Fischer Building.
Some 300 hundred tourism stakeholders are expected to attend the conference structured to accommodate a broad plenary session on 5 May 2008. At the latter, MEC Neo Masithela will speak on the provincial tourism policy and this will be followed by four commissions to each address the following issues:
Opportunities from synergized development and marketing of tourism products.
SMME opportunities emanating from transformation of the tourism industry.
Synergized financial and non-financial support services for SMMEs in the tourism industry.
Opportunities arising from the 2010 accommodation sign-up programme.
Speakers at the conference will come from various tourism-related institutions both nationally and provincially and the conference is to develop programmes of action with clear timeframes to pursue growth opportunities identified by the commissions.
Any strategic interventions to be proposed to the conference should be geared towards effective current and future positioning of the Free State in the highly competitive tourism market. Such interventions should constitute realistic projects for targeted niche market positioning.
Confirmation of attendance of the conference should be made before 30 April 2008 with Sebolelo Ntoi at ntois@dteea.fs.gov.za or motsohit@dteea.fs.gov.za or fax (051) 400 96314.
Successful launch of Asia Expo and Investment Conference
Formal international co-operation between India, Brazil and South Africa was taken to new heights on Friday, 28 March 2008 when some 25 ambassadors from Asian, Gulf and selected African states converged in Bloemfontein at the Landmark Protea Hotel for the Free State launch of the Asia Expo and Investment Conference 2008.04.17
The launch was the forerunner of the Asia Expo and Investment Conference to be held in the Free State Stadium from 17 – 19 October 2008. The purpose is to establish a platform for the promotion of trade, tourism and culture between South African, African, Middle East and Asian companies and is intended to facilitate the development of import and export and investment opportunities between participating companies.
The launch attended by some 400 guests from a wide spectrum of government and business sectors, was hugely successful. Afterwards during the weekend, the ambassadors were taken on a conducted tour to tourism attractions in the Eastern Free State, ranging from Mantsopa's Cave at Ladybrand to the offerings in the Clarens region. Overnighting at the new Clarens Golf Estate, the eminent visitors were so impressed by what they experienced, that they were keen on acquiring real estate in the area. The entire exercise showed that the Free State could indeed be a tourist and investment destination of its own. The potential in this regard certainly needs to be exploited much more vigorously by local tourism entrepreneurs.
Meanwhile Free State Businesses are being encouraged to book their participation in the Asian Expo to 17 – 19 October 2008 at (011) 885 163163, email zanedavid@mweb.co.za or visit website www.asiaexpo2008.com.
CEO's Notepad
The occasion on 28 March 2008 of the launch of the Asia Expo and Investment Conference to be held in October this year in Bloemfontein, provided an eye-opener in quite a number of ways.
Having accompanied afterwards the 15 Asian, Gulf and selected African ambassadors and their entourage on a conducted weekend tour to tourist sites and facilities in the Eastern Free State, I heard some of them remarking that they were amazed to find that the Free State has much more to offer than just Bloemfontein and the N1!
After overnighting at Clarens in chalets at the Golf & Trout Estate, the next morning – they were making enthusiastic enquiries about buying property at Clarens! While we as FSTA are tourism promoters and not property brokers, it nevertheless showed me how important foreign investment in Free State tourism products could be for our provincial economy.
However, it is also clear that for this eventuality Free State tourism product owners need to gear themselves. Prospective foreign investors are putting four prerequisites as to fixed property / shareholding in local tourism enterprises:
• The land issue of a prospective property should be resolved / in place.
• A feasibility study must have been done.
• The prospect should have a business plan.
• An environmental impact study must have been done.
Foreign investors do not necessarily want to buy local property as such, but they are more looking for partnerships in enterprises with Free State tourism entrepreneurs.
This was a highly positive vibe coming out of this visit by prospective foreign investors and I feel our local tourism entrepreneurship should heed the call.
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