Johannesburg - Sasol announced it will extend its support for Government's initiative to provide more accessible and affordable energy to the rural poor. The company will add an additional R8 million to increase its investment in energy centres to R23 million. In partnership with the Department of Minerals and Energy, Sasol has already successfully launched three centres and a further two centres will be launched in Mafikeng and Qunu.
The Integrated Energy Centre programme stands at the heart of Government's Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Project. The project aims to provide a range of services in areas identified as poverty nodes where the need for development is the greatest. Through the programme the provision of wider energy choices is linked with other infrastructure and development initiatives such as water supply and the building of schools and clinics.
The Minister of Minerals and Energy, Ms Buyelwa Sonjica visiting Sasol's headquarters in Rosebank on Thursday 3 August 2005 as part of her getting to know the industry role players within her portfolio, was brought up to speed with the Integrated Energy Centres programme.
“I have met the executive of Sasol who briefed me on this expansion of the work that they are doing to assist government achieve its mandate regarding access to services. As government we do appreciate this effort, and would like to encourage Sasol in its endeavour. It is the responsibility of the Department of Minerals and Energy and its partners to ensure that those in the rural areas, who also happen to be afflicted by poverty and lack of development, are not left out as the country moves forward. Access to electricity is critical and therefore this Integrated Energy Centres programme is but one of the tools that can assist the process of development,” says Minister Sonjica.
“Access to energy is a pre-requisite for any sustainable development. The uncertainties of energy provision not only severely impacts on rural development programmes, schooling and job creation, but also on the health and safety of low-income communities, especially during the cold months when the demand for clean energy is extremely high,” explains Pat Davies, Sasol CE.
Built on a community co-operative model, Integrated Energy Centres provide a sales outlet for energy products such as paraffin, gas, petrol, diesel and energy efficient appliances. The facility furthermore provides for a spaza shop that sells basic foodstuffs as well as pension payout points.
“Apart from the access these centres provide to clean energy, people also benefit from the introduction of other services and technologies previously not available in their community. Access to telephones, electricity, banking services and the Internet and email, contributes significantly to the socio-economic development of the area,” highlights Davies.
The centre also acts as a central source of energy information to the community, helping to create an informed constituency able to understand and respond to Government's energy policies.
Underlying the project is a strong focus on skills development, job creation and sustainable development. Community members are involved throughout the entire process, from inception to ongoing management and maintenance of the centres. The emphasis lies on empowering communities with the necessary skills and knowledge to successfully run the centres.
Once an Integrated Energy Centre has been established, ownership is transferred to the community it aims to serve. Throughout the process Sasol fulfils the role of trainer and facilitator and remains committed to providing the cooperative with assistance to ensure future operational efficiency and safety.
“Private enterprise has an important part to play in realising Government's policies for improving household energy access in South Africa. Through our partnership with the Department of Minerals and Energy, we believe Sasol will make a meaningful contribution to raising rural community living standards and facilitating socio-economic development,” adds Davies.
The first Sasol sponsored Integrated Energy Centre was opened at Caba-Mdeni, near Matatiele in the Eastern Cape on 3 December 2004 followed by the opening of a further two centres in Laxley, near Kuruman in the Northern Province, on 28 October 2005 and at Mutale, near Venda in Limpopo Province, on 25 November 2005.
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