In his presidential address to the Southern Cape branch of Saiee last week, Van Niekerk discussed government's ambitious infrastructure development programme which is going to place a massive demand on the country's energy resources.
He said Eskom's 'new build' programme was instituted to meet the anticipated increase in demand resulting from this infrastructure development.
Additionally, the energy supplier's application for electricity price increases of 16 per cent per annum for the next five years was aimed to finance the new power stations. "However, an increase which has been limited to 8 per cent for five years was granted. This will still make South Africa one of the most expensive investment destinations in the world and leaves Eskom in a difficult situation to meet demand with insufficient base load generation and a rapidly aging fleet of coal fired power stations," said Van Niekerk.
Renewable energy increasing
Van Niekerk explained that Eskom plans to generate a total of 89 700MW by 2030, which will include 18 925MW of renewable energy. Its net maximum power supply ability is currently 41 194MW.
"The minister of energy has made an impressive start by awarding 28 renewable energy IPPs (Independent Power Producers) in 2012 with a capacity of 3 725MW. A further award of 3 200MW has been made for 2013 that will make the country one of the world leaders in renewable energy. This will bring the total amount of renewable energy produced to 6 925," he explained.
Van Niekerk said the influx of renewable energy into the country provides an ideal opportunity for the local manufacturing of equipment. "However, insufficient local skills are available for local manufacturing of high-tech electronic equipment, let alone research and development of innovation and introduction of new techniques."
The problem is that engineering and any technical field of study seem to be unattractive to young people. Of the 1,444 million students who entered school in 1998, only 2 500 graduated as engineers and 250 (a mere 0,017 per cent of the total number of students) registered as professional engineers.
Saiee is trying to address this problem and, in order to enhance skills in its sector, it is considering the introduction of a programme to provide mentorship for electrical engineering graduates who do not receive the required 'in work situation' practical training that meets the stringent requirements to register as a professional engineer.
Paul van Niekerk (second from right), Saiee president, with members of the Southern Cape branch of Saiee, from left: Niël Smuts, Les Stuart, David Leigh, Gus Gregory and Robbie Evans, chairman. Photo: Alida de Beer
