OGT Energy enthralled by 10 000 solar water geysers for indigent northern cape households programme still being in the offing

OGT Energy is enthralled by latest indications of the installation of 10 000 solar water geysers for indigent households still being in the offing following announcements made at the Northern Cape’s Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition held at De Aar in August of 2018 by the then Department of Energy.

The installations were earmarked for Sol Plaatje Local Municipality with a roll-out of 6000 and the remaining 4000 linked to the Emthanjeni Local Municipality as stated by the department’s acting Deputy Director General of Clean Energy Mokgadi Modise at the conference.

Our optimism is invigorated by a recent briefing session on the National Solar Water Heater Programme (NSWHP) between the now Department of Mineral Resources and Energy represented by Ms Modise and with the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality being represented by Executive Mayor Patrick Mabilo.

The engagement of 19 May 2021 provides a silver lining that the programme is alive and kicking. We are confident that it shall be all hands on the deck in ensuring that a framework agreement is entered into with the two local municipalities for the implementation of the programme.

“The flicker of hope would also suggest that the way is paved for immediate processes such as social facilitation and technical feasibility being undertaken. We are in agreement that the mentioned processes will ensure the success of the programme. Of utmost importance too is that the spheres of government involved will be in a position to address shortcomings such as dysfunctional geysers that were previously installed,” asserted OGT Energy CEO Neo Rapelang.

OGT Energy is emboldened by years of expertise and experience in civil engineering acquired through sister company OGT Civils (trading as Oitsegodira General Trading Pty Ltd www.ogtcivils.co.za).

“OGT will commit towards local water geyser sourcing and ensuring they meet the necessary manufacturing standards. Draw and train local youth in the installation phase that would be plumbing oriented in an effort to enforce skills transfer during the roll-out. Maintenance is equally of importance hence the training alluded to will come in handy,” added CEO Rapelang.

In arresting the ongoing inequalities that are inextricably linked to the poverty of energy which many households suffer from owing to the high-cost of electricity and being unable to generated warm-to-hot water for various purposes; we at OGT Energy are wholeheartedly in support of government’s National Solar Water Heater Programme (NSWHP) as a key off-grid solution.