NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION 1185
Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister of Energy:
With reference to the 49m electricity savings initiative that is aimed at
registered electricity consumers, what measures will Eskom implement to
clamp-down on illegal electricity consumers and bring about further
electricity savings? NW1320E
REPLY
With regard to curbing illegal electricity use, Eskom launched an Energy
Losses Management Programme (ELM), which is in line with NERSA regulations.
Currently, Eskom complies with NERSAâs requirements and aim to
significantly reduce energy losses. The ELM programme has various aspects:-
a) Monitoring of installed meters for tampering, assessing levels of
leakage and where these are found, fixing the problem;
b) Installation of tamper proof technology (e.g. secure enclosures with
prepaid meters inside);
c) Rolling out a public awareness campaign called Operation Khanyisa
which is aimed at behavioural change in the following areas: creating
a culture of legal electricity use, improving on communitiesâ
reporting on illegal connections; reduction of theft of
infrastructure; educating the public on energy efficiency; and
educating the public on safety awareness. The campaign is a joint
effort between Eskom, various arms of government, formal business and
affected communities; and
d) Efforts of strengthening the legal framework to assist in the
prosecution of electricity theft.