whether any other (a) programmes are currently being devised and (b) funds being made available to reach the Government's target of 1 million solar water heaters; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details NW1675?
As at 07 June 2011, 109 425 solar water heaters (SWHs) have been installed.
There are funds in the Eskom SWH programme to contribute towards the Government's target of 1 million SWHs but this will not cover the full costs of this target. On 24 February 2010, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved an allocation of R5.445 billion of which R1.15bn is for solar water heating, to be raised through the electricity tariff between 01 April 2010 and 31 March 2013. Solar water heating is therefore one of the interventions funded through this allocation.
Yes. To address the challenges associated with financing the Solar Water Heating programme, the new Standard Offer incentive scheme that will fund Solar Water Heaters has been developed. A funding model for this tariff funded scheme has been finalised, and through engagements with NERSA and Eskom, the department is working on its implementation.
Yes there are programmes under development which will be linked to the Standard Offer incentive scheme. This Standard Offer will provide a tariff based incentive to facilitate the implementation of the insurance geyser replacement programme; corporate social responsibility initiatives as well as employee programmes. In addition, a small yet significant contribution is expected from Donor funded programmes.
Not all programmes require government funding. For example, over and above the aforementioned programmes, the New Building Regulations that are being finalised by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will contribute substantially towards the delivery of SWHs and other energy saving water heating technologies for new dwellings.