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DATE OF PUBLICATION: 19 February 2010

Mr. MJ Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) What energy efficiency initiatives have been taken in each park that is administered by the SA National Parks since 1 January 2008 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) whether visitors to each park are advised upon entry on how they can contribute to conserving electricity; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether each park has set an electricity reduction target for the 2010-11 financial year; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(4) whether any park has installed ripple units for the remote control of geysers in accommodation units; if so, what are the relevant details; if not,

(5) whether such units will be installed; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

Mr. MJ Ellis (DA) SECRETARY TO PARLIAMENT
HANSARD

PAPERS OFFICE

PRESS
253. THE MINISTER OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ANSWERS:

Mr. MJ Ellis (DA) to ask the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs:

(1) SANParks has engaged with the National Cleaner Production Center (NCPC) to assist with a detailed energy efficiency audit. The main reasons for this approach are:

a. To set an energy efficiency baseline from where targets can be set for improvement.

b. To determine the most cost effective interventions on the short, medium and long term to improve the energy efficiency.

c. To do cost analysis and pay-back period calculations on the different energy efficiency improvements and products proposed as well as capital requirements.

d. Different solar geyser- and heat pump products have been tested in Kruger National Park during the last 12 months and the test results will form part of the alternative products recommended in the audit report.

The energy efficiency audit will focus on two representative rest camps in Kruger (Biyamiti and Berg en Dal) as well as the laundry in Skukuza and are funded by the NCPC. The audit takes place between 22 February 2010 and 4 March 2010. The findings of the energy efficiency report will be submitted in a report during the end of March 2010.

Other measures implemented by SANParks include:

· Infrastructure changes which includes the installation of solar water geysers in new infrastructure and during major upgrades, i.e. Golden Gate Hotel, new accommodation units at Mata Mata, Kgalagadi and staff accommodation in Nossob, Kgalagadi.

· All parks participated in an initiative from ESKOM to replace globes with energy efficient globes.

· The choice of air-conditioners considered the efficiency of the various available types.

· Switching off geysers during low occupancy periods.

· Geyser blankets, i.e. Wilderness.

· Sky lights in facilities.

· Awareness programme for staff to switch off lights, only switch on minimum lights in facilities, etc.


(2) At this stage the majority of parks do not inform visitors on entry on what they can do to conserve energy. Some parks do, i.e. Wilderness issue notices, attached to entrance permits to tell people about energy saving bulbs, reason for it, suggesting that they switch off all lights when not in building or particular room, to take 3 minute showers, to rather use braai area and look at the stars than staying indoors and use the stove. Notices are also placed in ablutions and public areas about energy efficiency and water saving methods.

KNP and other parks have circulated information via the internal communication to all rest camps and staff informing them of ways to save electricity.

All parks have certain standing measures that focus on water and energy saving, i.e. the request not to have towels washed on a daily basis.

(3) The electricity reduction targets will be forth coming from the energy efficiency report at the end of March 2010. Wilderness National Park started with targets to reduce energy in 2008/9, i.e. 10% savings per annum and instituted measures to achieve this. Electricity use and costs are monitored on a monthly basis by parks, especially in view of the planned ESKOM price increase with different approaches to reduce use and curb expenses.

(4) None of the parks installed ripple units to date. SANParks did not want to install ad-hoc systems as the organisation was investigating systems that might save more electricity – this will form part of the energy efficiency report.

SANParks have tested different systems and did not want to engage in upgrading our systems with any one system, before looking at the energy efficiency holistically to ensure that the upgrading plan is in accordance with well designed energy efficiency programme.

I used to leave the air-conditioning running constantly, so that the room was cool when I returned from a drive How many still do?