greenhouses I shade net I hydroponics I aquaponics
Could this become a reality in South Africa soon?
Sustainable Energy for Greenhouses a Possibility? South Africa has been plagued by power supply issues for many years. Mostly because of the significant reliance on Eskom, which is struggling to meet electricity demands. Every year the electricity tariffs increase by 15% and continue to squeeze profits of businesses, including farmers.
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ccording to the World Economic Forum (WEF) Energy Transition Index 2021, the rising electricity price is one of the major contributing factors placing South Africa near the bottom of the list, at 110 out of 115 countries. Energy efficiency is increasingly becoming a way of life for many people around the world. Even in South Africa, the government has started with the decommissioning of coal-fired power stations, while creating a favourable environment for ‘green energy’. The government is also supporting municipalities that aim to generate their own power through renewable energy, and this has resulted in a number of Western Cape municipalities adopting renewable energy in a bid to move off Eskom’s grid.
Managing the energy The idea of relying entirely on natural resources for electricity supply across sectors can have high-cost implications if is not done right, no matter how visionary it may be for farms, businesses and homeowners. Managing the energy demand and being more energy efficient is just as crucial as doing thorough research before installing systems that generate alternative energy, according
instance, are considered cheaper than to Duncan Abel, Energy Finance Eskom’s tariffs. And it is important Principal at Nedbank. to note that energy demand does ‘It is not just about generating your not always follow the sunshine cycle. own power. There are certain steps This means that solar panels should that you need to take first to ensure be supplemented by batteries, which that you generate enough power. If you require dedicated solar panels and extra go off the grid completely, then you energy to charge them. don’t need Eskom’s You will also need a Energy efficiency is permission. You have generator for backup. increasingly becoming free will to do what you So, typically batteries want when it comes a way of life for many double the cost of to energy supply. It is people around the a system, while the only when you are still world. Even in South generators that back up partially connected to the batteries come with Africa, the government Eskom’s grid that there fuel costs. has started with the are certain licencing The best time to decommissioning and registration consider moving your requirements to think of coal-fired power business off the grid about.’ stations, while creating a is when you see there favourable environment is a significant energy Off the grid for ‘green energy’. security issue. That costs is if lost production Abel adds that not all and operations far outweigh the cost agriculture businesses or farmers can of going off grid or installing a hybrid afford to go off the grid. Installation solution. costs for renewable-energy systems Ultimately, farming businesses need are expensive, although they can to manage their electricity demand, become cost effective in the long term. be more energy efficient and generate Depending on the property size and only as much electricity as they can use energy need, going off the grid can cost every day. north of R500 000 for a farm. By John Hudson Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, for
Undercover farming I May/June 2021 I Volume 18 No 3 17
