The SACP has called on the government to embark on a massive energy-saving campaign including a mass roll-out of solar geyser heaters.
The SACP has called on the government to embark on a massive energy-saving campaign including a mass roll-out of solar geyser heaters.
The party said such initiatives would bring long-term solutions to the unreliable electricity supply in the country.
In a statement yesterday the SACP said South Africa should also question the impact of capital-intensive but "energy guzzling" projects such as the aluminium smelters.
"These plants create few jobs and are sustained by long-term, low-priced electricity deals. The raw material (bauxite) is imported, and these smelters are basically exporting South African electricity. South Africans are paying for this irrational arrangement," said the party.
The call follows last week's announcement by Nersa that Eskom would increase its electricity tariffs by 24,8percent from April 1.
Eskom will add another 25,8percent increase in April 2011 and a further 25,9percent in 2012.
The SACP has also poured cold water on the proposed youth employment wage subsidy announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech. The party said the scheme has the potential of being abused by employers.
SACP urges energy solution
The SACP has called on the government to embark on a massive energy-saving campaign including a mass roll-out of solar geyser heaters.
The SACP has called on the government to embark on a massive energy-saving campaign including a mass roll-out of solar geyser heaters.
The party said such initiatives would bring long-term solutions to the unreliable electricity supply in the country.
In a statement yesterday the SACP said South Africa should also question the impact of capital-intensive but "energy guzzling" projects such as the aluminium smelters.
"These plants create few jobs and are sustained by long-term, low-priced electricity deals. The raw material (bauxite) is imported, and these smelters are basically exporting South African electricity. South Africans are paying for this irrational arrangement," said the party.
The call follows last week's announcement by Nersa that Eskom would increase its electricity tariffs by 24,8percent from April 1.
Eskom will add another 25,8percent increase in April 2011 and a further 25,9percent in 2012.
The SACP has also poured cold water on the proposed youth employment wage subsidy announced by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech. The party said the scheme has the potential of being abused by employers.