MINISTRY OF ENERGY
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION: 133
133. Mr L W Greyling (ID) to ask the Minister of Energy:
(1) Were any tenders invited for the installation of low-pressure
solar water heaters in 2013; if not, why not; if so, was the
tender awarded;
(2) how many low-pressure solar water heaters were installed in
2013;
(3) (a) what are the targets for the roll-out of low-pressure solar
water heaters and (b) what is his department doing to ensure
that it reaches its targets in this regard;
(4) what is his department doing to ensure that the local
manufacturers of low-pressure solar water heaters have
sufficient national demand to support their operations? NW139E
REPLY :
1. Yes, there were tenders issued by Eskom for installation of low-
pressure solar water heaters in Musina, Polokwane and Buffalo City
Municipalities (on behalf of the Department) as well as in Soweto.
However, these tenders were not awarded and Eskom cancelled the
process.
In August 2013, the department issued a request for registration and
information to test the market and confirm if there were complaint
systems in regard to 70% local content as outlined in the SWH
instruction note issued under the Preferential Procurement Policy
Framework Act.
2. Accumulative 395,088 SWH units (inclusive of low and high pressure)
installed by the end of December 2013 with 53,000 SWH units installed
in 2013 calendar year.
3. a. There are 480,000 low pressure SWH units to be installed by 31
March 2016;
b. The Department concluded the new contracting model in October 2013.
The revised contracting model will allow Eskom to do mass procurement
for all participating municipalities. However, prior to the said
procurement, the SABS will have to verify the local content threshold
capacity of all manufactures as outlined in the instruction note.
4. The DoE appointed the SABS to carry out the local content
measurement and verification process, which is scheduled to begin on
1st March 2014.
Ends