GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - On Monday the Deputy Minister of Electricity and Energy, Samantha Graham-Maré, met with the leadership of the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM) to discuss progress of the municipality's Innovative Electricity Programme (IEP).

Books balance

Mayor Willem Safers thanked the role players saying the collaboration with the service provider, Utility Consulting Solutions, has helped turn around the municipality's future. 

"From July next year we will realise a 40% savings for residents on electricity tariffs, while still buying the same amount of electricity from Eskom, and balancing our books - it's a win-win for everyone. 

We are the first municipality to pay our partners cash every month for the electricity they generate, and will aim to bring 12 000 households into the programme as co-generators of electricity."

Graham-Maré confirmed that the Ministry of Electricity and Energy will be working together with the South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi), Salga, Cogta, and National Treasury to develop a programme that can be rolled out next year to other municipalities across all provinces.

Accessible energy for all

Graham-Maré congratulated the municipality for showing commitment to public-private partnerships.

"These result in innovative solutions to municipal revenue enhancement and providing affordable electricity. 

"I will be driving similar innovative programmes in other willing municipalities across the country, so that we keep both municipalities and Eskom financially secure, and ensure quality service delivery to residents.
"This programme also shows how renewable energy can directly contribute to affordable and accessible energy for all South Africans, including the free basic supply to indigent residents. 

"The vital work done by the National Electricity Crisis Committee has enabled the transformation of the electricity market to unlock trading and embedded generation that allows for innovative solutions to our key challenge of municipal financial sustainability."

Helps pay Eskom debt

This programme also aims to secure revenue so that the municipality can pay off its Eskom debt and keep up to date with Eskom payments. According to the municipality they have been able to meet these goals.

The programme, developed and implemented by Utility Consulting Solutions, involves an innovative application of current legal electricity trading mechanisms and small-scale embedded generation together with local private partners. 

By working with local businesses, the municipality has been able to leverage the electricity generated from alternative supplies, without burdening the municipality's balance sheet.
Power during peak periods

These alternative supplies are currently from rooftop solar and battery storage and are able to provide dispatchable power during peak demand periods.

Many municipalities are afraid of decreasing revenue from electricity sales as residents and businesses move to rooftop solar, usually in the face of massive tariff increases. This leaves both municipalities and Eskom worse off, as municipal debt to Eskom rises.

Through this programme, DBNLM will be able to keep any increases, even those approved by Nersa, to a maximum of annual CPI + 1%. The municipality will procure the same number of units from Eskom, while maintaining a healthy stream of income. 

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