Eskom's Residential Load Management (RLM) programme is rolling out across the country with clearly measurable results, yet paradoxically intangible effects. The very real success of the programme can be seen in the impact that has been achieved on the demand for electricity during peak periods, but at the same time consumers have hardly noticed any effect (if at all) on their daily lives, simply because they can still draw hot water whenever they need it. This offers an excellent example of Demand Side Management (DSM) in action, whereby the patterns of consumption are changed in order to match a utility’s load or demand profile. There are two main avenues available to a DSM approach: one known as load management, which involves changing the times of consumption, while the other is obviously energy efficiency. In the latter case, the focus falls on improved efficiency in terms of technology (for example, the use of CFLs for illumination) and behaviour (such as using a kettle rather than a stove plate to boil water).

 

By Mr. Philippe Morin, MSc, CEng, MIET, MIEEE Executive Chairman, Public Utilities Corporation, Republic of Seychelles and Mr. Suresh Vishwakarma, IEng, MIET, MBA, Principal Engineer Public Utilities Corporation, Republic of Seychelles

Seychelles is one of the world’s most beautiful archipelago located 4^O South of the equator in the western part of the Indian Ocean, North of Madagascar and 1593 Kms east of Mombassa, Kenya. Seychelles has no equal simply because of the purity of its islands and is commonly known as “Paradise on Earth” or the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean”. There are 115 islands in the entire archipelago out of which habitation is limited to only 10 islands. Majority of the total 455 sq km of land area is conserved as national parks and reserves. The capital city of Seychelles is Victoria which is on the main Island – Mahe.

Nigeria is the 7th largest crude oil producer in the world and has the 10th largest reserves of crude oil (34 billion barrels). The country’s credit rating by Fitch and S&P is BB and it has a stable foreign exchange market, with an estimated total private capital inflow of $7bn or 1.1% of total capital flow to developing countries in 2006. Inflation is stable and holding at single digits (7.5%, 2006) with foreign reserves at an all time high of US$43billion (as compared with US$5 billion in 1999). However, reliable power supply remains a challenge. With a population of 140 million and a GDP US$117 billion in 2006, its installed capacity stands at only 6000 MW. The average per capita electricity usage is 100 kWh. To put this into context, Kenya has a population of 34 million, a GDP of US$18.7 billion, an average per capita usage of 5866 kWh and installed capacity of 17000 MW. In even starker contrast is South Africa – with a population of 45 million and GDP of US$235 billion, its installed capacity stands at 40 000 MW.

Botswana’s Power industry is dominated by the Botswana Power Corporation, a wholly Government owned and vertically integrated organization with the mandate to generate, transmit, distribute and supply electricity in the country. In recent years, and in line with current trends in reforms and restructuring sweeping across the region, the following two events are key milestones in the Botswana Government’s progress towards improved performance in the power sector and attracting private sector investment:

• In March 2003, the Government completed a study on options for restructuring the Electricity Supply Industry in the country
• The Government’s Public Enterprise Evaluation and Privatisation Agency, PEEPA, is at an advanced stage with a study to “review the existing policy and regulatory frameworks in the country’s infrastructure and energy, water and communications utilities”. The study is expected to advise on the form and shape of a regulatory oversight covering the electricity supply industry in the country.

The following are highlights of some areas of Botswana’s power sector with major potential for private sector investment:-