City resident Boyce Makodi has been trying to secure an appointment with Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagiso Sonyoni to present a proposal to install solar panels and energy storage batteries in all households in the Sol Plaatje municipal area.
CITY resident Boyce Makodi has been trying to secure an appointment with Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagiso Sonyoni to present a proposal to install solar panels and energy storage batteries in all households in the Sol Plaatje municipal area.
Makodi said that this would ensure that residents would be taken off the Eskom grid within the next three to five years.
“Each household will pay R100 per month for a five-kilowatt system and storage battery that can provide power for up to two days, depending on the rate of consumption,” explained Makodi.
He estimated that it would cost the municipality around R250 million per annum for the installation and upkeep of the project.
“Funds can be sourced through decreasing the wage bill, interim salary reductions and fund-raising initiatives.
“The premier, Dr Zamani Saul, pledged R500 million in April 2021 to improve service delivery in the Sol Plaatje Municipality district. This partnership in sourcing funds from each department amounting to R500 million per annum can be used to transition to clean energy. Provincial government should use this to redeem itself.”
Makodi calculated that revenue from 75,000 households, who would each pay R100 per month, would amount to R90 million per annum.
“The benefits include financial relief for residents, economic growth, job creation and enabling municipalities to become self-sufficient.”
Makodi added that electricity should be VAT exempt as it was a basic necessity.
“Rather increase sin tax on alcohol and cigarettes. Currently, only a select few can buy electricity without having to cut down on food, transport and school fees. We need to do away with value-added tax on electricity sales, not only to assist the poor but also to revive the economy.”
The Office of the Mayor stated that the mayor was not available to meet with Makodi as arranged last week.
“We will reschedule the meeting as soon as possible.”
