Construction World November 2015

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This is according to Cala van der West-
huizen, spokesperson for Energy Part-
ners – a leading energy solutions
provider in South Africa. He says that with
energy technologies becoming more affordable
and accessible, and taking into account that
1,3-billion people globally still do not have access
to electricity, there is great potential for growth
in the sustainable energy sphere.
“Between 2013 and 2014 the use of sustain-
able energy in developing countries increased
by over 35%.”
Van der Westhuizen says that South Africa
has ideal weather conditions for the implemen-
tation of ‘green’ energy and adds that while wind
power is most cost effective on a large scale,
solar is the preferred form of energy generation
for commercial and residential property owners.
“Taking factors such as cost, availability and
reliability into account, photovoltaic solar energy
generation is currently by far the most efficient
MORE STABLE SA ENERGY USAGE
With South Africa investing approximately R73-million in sustainable
energy solutions in 2014, a national mind-shift towards sustainable
energy solutions may have played a significant role in Eskom
managing to provide an uninterrupted power supply for
18 consecutive days.
option for businesses and households that want
to gain some form of energy independence.
In fact, the only regions better suited than
Southern Africa for solar energy generation
globally are Australia and South America.”
He points to the International Energy Agency,
which indicates that sustainable energy formed
18% of the generation capacity mix globally in
2007, 21% in 2012 and 22% in 2013. The report
also indicated that an estimated 25% of the
world’s energy requirements will be fulfilled
through sustainable sources by 2018. “There are
some experts who believe that this rapid growth
pattern in renewable technologies in SA, will
result in 100% sustainable energy generation
by 2025, though a more realistic expectation is
approximately 30%.”
Van der Westhuizen says that besides the
most obvious environmental benefits like the
significant decrease in pollution, the implemen-
tation and privatisation of sustainable energy will
Cala van der Westhuizen, spokesperson
for Energy Partners.
also decrease the monetary cost of energy for
the end-consumer.
“The increased accessibility to this basic
resource in the developing world will lessen
the strain on the parastatal electricity provider,
decrease the cost for the end-consumer and
stimulate the economy through job creation.
Greater investment in the development of
sustainable energy solutions is therefore the
ideal solution for the national energy crises,”
concludes Van der Westhuizen.
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