Premier

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

The two biggest challenges were:  

1. The unusual frequency of generator failure  
2. Cable theft precipitated by the frequent power outages. This impacted negatively on our operations.

More frequent failure of electrical equipment. Worcester Field Reserve for example reported that the intermittent power cuts caused damage and disruption to their electronic equipment and that three (3) inverters and a UPS were irreparably damaged, and the server and printers were at risk of being damaged.

365 kWp Solar PV Panels and Inverters have been Installed for the Elsenburg Main Buildings.

The biggest challenge was the failure of generators which impacted negatively on service delivery. Being a research farm, there are elements in our operations that cannot go without electricity, eg. the milking of cows cannot be delayed, and the milk storage facilities must maintain the set temperatures. We have - 80 degrees fridges that contain test samples that span over periods of time and if these fridges switch off the tests may be compromised. 

Solar PV Phase 1 - B.E.S.S – Battery Energy Storage System installation 520 kWh battery capacity – Elsenburg Main Building – Blocks A & E sustainable via. B.E.S.S.

The major challenges were generator failures and cable theft. This resulted in our infrastructure and our operations being compromised, unplanned closure of offices and staff working from home (not all can work from home), and water shortages due to a zero-water supply vs a constant demand. We also had regular main line pipe bursts which could be because of the intermittent water flow in the old asbestos pipes.

The cellar uses a reefer as a chill storage facility for the wine grapes. During load shedding the electric cable on the reefer was stolen and the power supply and the compressor were damaged, and it had to be repaired by DTPW before the first grapes arrived.  

Solar PV phase 2: 630kWp Solar PV and Inverters installed at the Dairy Solar Farm to assist add to Elsenburg’s Grid.

The challenges of 2022 continue. Worse, however, is that the Elsenburg main building (Head Office) generator is out of commission since 16 January 2023 with the result that during load shedding there is no electricity at the main building except one block that is already on solar battery backup power. 

The cost of diesel is exorbitant.  At the beginning of the 2022/23 financial year the Department budgeted R454 000 for the purchase of diesel.  As a result of running the generators to continue with service delivery, this budget was depleted by the end of the year.  To date, the Department has spent R2,2 million on diesel at the Elsenburg farm alone and it is expected to amount to R2,9 for the full twelve months.  By Adding the R2,4 million extra spent on diesel for the generation of electricity on the research farms, the implication is that the Department will spend an additional R5,3 million on diesel in the 2022/23 financial year.  This is money that could have been spent on service delivery.

In the meantime, the outside offices of the Department remain without electricity during load shedding which has a major negative impact on service delivery by the Department.

New Generator Project for the Elsenburg Precinct to be implemented as a B.CP. and a cost-effective measure in place of future Solar PV initiatives, mainly due to the high-cost factor of Solarisation equipment. The Generator Project will also assist as a BCP and a contingency for Elsenburg’s critical Water Infrastructure (Boreholes) and the Elsenburg critical Business locations.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

1. The installation of a rooftop (365 kWp) and canopy (630kWp) Solar PV system and the installation of Solar PV Battery and Inverter for block A of the main building. This means that the staff in block A can function uninterrupted when Eskom and the generator are down (Also see the response to part a of the question).
2. Pro Active thinking to create an Energy Masterplan to establish the load requirement for Elsenburg, thereby working on a plan to amortise Solarisation costs year on year, in an effort of meeting the load requirement in stages, due to budget constraints.
3. Due to the cost implications for Solarisation implementations to date, a project was devised for the utilization of Generators as a contingency for our critical business locations was identified.
4. With the utilisation of the Department’s existing generator infrastructure, and that of newly acquired Gensets, these are to be strategically placed to accommodate the Elsenburg energy load requirement for B.C.P, thereby also reducing the financial burden on sustainable initiative implementation.

1. Cost savings to the Elsenburg Utilities and Business Continuity Plan for our Critical Components of the Department.
2. Since the creation of the energy masterplan, and with the aid of the Department of Public Works and Transport, the Department has installed 520kWh battery capacity and 630kWp Solar.
3. The Masterplan calls for a 5 000 kWp Solar system.  Therefore, to date, the Department has installed 12, 6% of the required Solar.
4. The masterplan calls for 3MWh battery Storage system. Therefore, the Department has installed 17, 3% of the battery capacity to date.
5. The Department has therefore implemented approximately 10% of the Solarisation work required in terms of the Energy Masterplan.
6. Storage of surplus energy via the battery system and reduction of the carbon footprint.
7. Setting an example to the Agricultural Sector by building a reputation of the Department as supporter of resource efficiency.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

Engagements with stakeholders and citizens were impacted at times.

Scheduled South African Police Service (SAPS) and/or Court visits were impacted and/or due to the system being offline.

Community Training impacted where electronic visuals were used.

High-level engagements impacted and/or delayed when electronic visuals/presentations were in use.

Staff with desktop computers were unable to perform daily tasks and meet deadlines.

Staff working from home and/or rotation due to COVID-19

Negative impact on the well-being of staff.

Engagements with stakeholders and citizens were impacted at times.

Scheduled SAPS and/or Court visits were impacted and/or due to the system being offline.

Community Training impacted where electronic visuals were used.

High-level engagements impacted and/or delayed when electronic visuals/presentations were in use.

Staff with desktop computers were unable to perform daily tasks and meet deadlines.

Staff working from home and/or rotation due to COVID-19

Negative impact on the well-being of staff.

Engagements with stakeholders and citizens were impacted at times.

Scheduled SAPS and/or Court visits were impacted and/or due to system being offline.

Community Training impacted where electronic visuals were used.

High-level engagements impacted and/or delayed when electronic visuals/presentations were in use.

Staff with desktop computers were unable to perform daily tasks and meet deadlines.

The Department is accommodated in a leased building. Electricity supply only provided for the common areas (lifts, stairwells, toilets, foyers), however, this does not alleviate the issue of electricity supply on the floors to ensure that work continues – the floors do not have power during loadshedding.

Negative impact on the well-being of staff.

Engagements with stakeholders and citizens were impacted at times.

Scheduled SAPS and/or Court visits were impacted and/or due to system being offline.

Community Training impacted where electronic visuals were used.

High-level engagements impacted and/or delayed when electronic visuals/presentations were in use.

Staff with desktop computers were unable to perform daily tasks and meet deadlines.

The Department is accommodated in a leased building. Electricity supply only provided for the common areas (lifts, stairwells, toilets, foyers), however this does not alleviate the issue of electricity supply on the floors to ensure that work continues – the floors do not have power during loadshedding.

Access Control Systems are malfunctioning more frequently as the systems are not shut down correctly.

When the power comes back online the equipment experiences a spike which renders some equipment faulty.

Batteries are being used as a backup to power the system and unable to recharge timeously. This results in access doors being open which poses a huge risk for unauthorized entry.

The CCTV cameras are off during loadshedding resulting in no footage being recorded should an incident occur.

Negative impact on the well-being of staff.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

Generator procured to power common areas in the workplace.

Procurement of rechargeable lights.

Procurement of laptops (dependent on budget availability).

Meetings and engagements schedule around loadshedding schedule.

The procurement of UPS units allowing staff to remain connected to the Western Cape Government (WCG) Wi-Fi and telephone systems during loadshedding.

Developed an Electricity Disruption Plan.

Conducted Business Impact Analysis, within prioritised business units.

Continuous review and update of Contingency and Business Continuity Plan (emergency, staff contact lists updated).

Procurement of back-up batteries for the Access Control System.

OHS Reps conduct monthly Health and Safety Risk Assessments as per existing monthly checklist.

Regular Communication with staff using newsflashes.

Working Arrangements Policy in place to allow for remote working in instances where there are pro-longed loadshedding

The procurement of the UPS devices allows connectivity to telephone systems and Wi-Fi to staff who have laptops.

The generator provides electricity to common areas occupied by the Dept such as lifts and foyer lights.

Less impact on meetings and engagements.

Access Control System operational but the use of back-up batteries is only a solution for the short term, not practical in the long term.

Staff work remotely during pro-longed loadshedding periods with approval from managers.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

The Provincial Archives Building located in the CBD affected by loadshedding as the backup generator covered certain areas and the bulk of offices were left dark. During this period, staff would not have access to their computers, and in most instances the offices are too dark to work in, which had a negative impact on production, as well as on services to clients. The online database of archives collection could not be accessed. For the regional offices (libraries, museums, and sport) which do not have generators were affected due the lack of light which also has an effect on internet connectivity which resulted in service delivery being affected for the period of load-shedding.

The back-up generator at the Provincial Archives was upgraded to connect the whole building and services were continued without disruption. For the regional offices (libraries, museums, and sport) which do not have generators were affected due the lack of light which also has an effect on internet connectivity which resulted in service delivery being affected for the period of load-shedding.

Faulty backup generator towards the end of 2022 led to service disruptions. Systems and databases used by staff were not accessible. For the regional offices (libraries, museums, and sport) which do not have generators were affected due the lack of light which also has an effect on internet connectivity which resulted in service delivery being affected for the period of load-shedding.

The regional offices (libraries, museums, and sport) which do not have generators were affected due to the lack of light which also has an effect on internet connectivity which resulted in service delivery being affected for the period of load-shedding.

High levels of loadshedding (and the threat of potential blackout) caused museum security systems to fail. The museum security systems (CCTV and Armed Response) batteries cannot cope with the frequent loadshedding which places the museum collections and staff at risk of theft and other crime.

High levels of loadshedding also negatively effects the online scheduled committee meetings of Heritage Western Cape. These meetings are needed to process the various application submitted to the entity. Frequent loadshedding has caused unnecessary interruptions or caused additional costs as unplanned in-person meetings have to be held when necessitated by loadshedding.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

As the CBD is excluded from load-shedding for all DCAS offices located in the CBD no mitigating measures are required as it is business as usual. For the regional offices where load-shedding is present generators were procured where necessary and or rechargeable lighting was procured to provide light where lamination is required. A request was made to upgrade the backup generator to cover the whole Provincial Archives building and this assisted in mitigating the service disruptions.

All regional offices are operational during periods of load-shedding although it might from time to time be required to make alternative arrangements to overcome a period of load-shedding due to measures beyond the control of the Department. Load-shedding does not incapacitate the Department’s service delivery and is regarded as more of an inconvenience. Provision of services continues, and staff and researchers can access to systems and databases.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

Loadshedding has not significantly impacted on the operations of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT).  There are two key factors: a) to date, the Waldorf Building (80 St Georges Mall) has experienced no load shedding as, per the Department of Transport and Public Works the building is on a grid that is not part of the load shedding scheme, and b) in response to the COVID crisis and the shift of having to implementing alternative work arrangements (work from home), DEDAT made a wholesale change to officials using laptops (with inbuilt batteries) rather than desktop computers.

Loadshedding has not significantly impacted the Department as the Waldorf building where Department of Economic Development and Tourism is housed has not been significantly affected by loadshedding.

The occupation levels of the office have steadily increased, hence there is less WFH and work from the Waldorf building where Department of Economic Development and Tourism is not affected by the loadshedding

The situation with the Waldorf building remains.  While the higher levels of loadshedding are impacting on officials working from home, officials are now very familiar with how to operate in this environment, and utilize the devices at their personal disposal to continue effective service delivery e.g. laptops, UPSs, inverters, hot spots etc.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

The Department has a Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure that Service Delivery is not hampered. The Department embarked on a process to ensure that all critical service delivery systems are accessible remotely.  Where staff are working from home the Department has remote working arrangement which makes provision for alternative work arrangements without affecting coalface service delivery.

As mentioned above, implementation of the Alternative Work Arrangement policy, access to laptop devices, increased experience of WFH, effective management have all contributed to a climate and culture where DEDAT’s work has continued unabated.  Hence, the success of providing uninterrupted service delivery.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

District administration

While our Head Office has generator capacity, our district offices and other satellite offices are affected by loadshedding times and schedules. This interrupts the day-to-day administrative tasks required to ensure service delivery to schools.

In order to mitigate this risk, the WCED arranged for the distribution of approximately 1 300 laptops to officials to increase mobility and access to emails and documents. This would require that the laptop is charged.

USP’s are being procured for some of our offices. For example, 4 USPs are in the process of being delivered to Edumedia to cover their needs during loadshedding periods

Efforts by schools to reduce energy consumption:

Our schools have been taking steps to ensure that they have a more reliable power supply. The Department has received 41 applications from schools thus far seeking approval for the installation of solar panels. Others are making plans to have emergency lighting and battery power in place during loadshedding.

To reduce demand on the grid, the LED lighting project in partnership with the University of Stellenbosch – which sees the replacement of outdated fluorescent lights with LED lights – has projected savings of 11 742kWh per year per school, while reducing their electricity bills.

We will continue to do everything we can to support schools in managing the impact of loadshedding, to ensure that no matter what stage the country finds itself in, quality education can continue in the Western Cape.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

The Department’s service delivery was not affected by loadshedding (Cape Town office building was not affected by loadshedding and George office loadshedding covered by onsite generator).

Air Quality:

During 2020, analyser failures associated with loadshedding was experienced at all stations across the WCG AAQM Network. All criteria pollutant measurements (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM) were affected while all H2S and CO2 analysers also experienced restart and component failures. Where budget allowed, analysers were sent for repairs, however repeated load shedding often caused problems again.

The minimum 75% data requirement, as set out by DFFE, was difficult to obtain at many of the stations. Data capture of less than 75% for any period is not considered representative and cannot be reported as hourly or daily averages for comparison against National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

Load shedding resulted in reduced air quality data measurements and reporting on air quality parameters, given that the analysers were not able to operate and could not measure air quality.

In addition, the load shedding further impacted on analyser lifespan being reduced due to the continuous power interruptions resulting in analyser component failures. As a result, the analyser maintenance budgets were increasingly used for analyser repairs. The reduced data collection and reporting on air quality parameters to stakeholders, such as municipal Air Quality Officials and DFFE, was impacted in terms of our ability to address air quality complaints and measure present air quality.

60% of CapeNature reserves already have some form of off-grid power in the form of gas or solar power and thus have been less affected by loadshedding.

CapeNature’s Head Office is situated in a DTPW building that has a fully functional generator which keeps critical equipment operational.

In general, the Department’s service delivery was not affected by loadshedding.

Cape Town office building was not affected by loadshedding; and

George office loadshedding covered by onsite generator.

However, departmental officials conducting fieldwork e.g. investigations, inspections, events, etc. was more at risk and when travelling by motor car to the destination. Traffic light and street outages put the officials travel at more risk. Also, the potential extended loadshedding period, reported of up to 2 years, must cause frustration with the public and they may vent frustrations with protests e.g. burning of tires, stoning of vehicles, etc. putting our officials at risk. Business affected by loadshedding may also delay the fieldwork resulting in time wasted.

Air Quality:

During 2021, similar analyser failures as experienced in 2020 were linked to load shedding, at all stations across the WCG AAQM network. All criteria pollutant measurements (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM) were affected while all H2S and CO2 analysers also experienced restart and component failures.

The average data recovery across the WCG network during 2021 was approximately 65%, which is below the required 75% of DFFE.

Load shedding continued to result in reduced air quality data measurements and reporting on air quality parameters, given that the analysers were not able to operate and could not measure air quality.

In addition, the load shedding further impacted on analyser lifespan being reduced due to the continuous power interruptions resulting in analyser component failures. As a result, the analyser maintenance budgets were increasingly used for analyser repairs. The reduced data collection and reporting on air quality parameters to stakeholders, such as municipal Air Quality Officials and DFFE, was impacted in terms of our ability to address air quality complaints and measure present air quality.

60% of CapeNature reserves already have some form of off-grid power in the form of gas or solar power and thus have been less affected by loadshedding.

CapeNature’s Head Office is situated in a DTPW building that has a fully functional generator which keeps critical equipment operational.

In general, the Department’s service delivery was not affected by loadshedding.

Cape Town office building was not affected by loadshedding; and

George office loadshedding covered by onsite generator.

However, departmental officials conducting fieldwork e.g. investigations, inspections, events, etc. may be more at risk and when travelling by motor car to the destination. Traffic light and street outages put the officials travel at more risk. Also, the potential extended loadshedding period, reported of up to 2 years, must cause frustration with the public and they may vent frustrations with protests e.g. burning of tires, stoning of vehicles, etc. putting our officials at risk. Business affected by loadshedding may also delay the fieldwork resulting in time wasted.

Air Quality:

During 2022, analyser failures associated with load shedding was experienced at all stations across the WCG AAQM network. All criteria pollutant measurements (SO2, NO2, CO, O3, PM) were affected as well as H2S and CO2 analysers. Although the recapitalisation of the network improved the data recovery; the impacts of loadshedding continued to reduce data recovery.

 Thus, average data recovery across the WCG network during 2022 was approximately 78%.

However, analysers which were failing repeatedly due to loadshedding were removed from operation (i.e. decommissioned) due to lack of budget to replace infrastructure; while some analysers were removed and repaired following a reprioritization of budget.

The impact of load shedding on the aged analysers continued to result in reduced air quality data measurements and reporting on air quality parameters, given that the analysers were not able to operate and could not measure air quality. It was also noticed that some of the new analysers placed at the stations were also impacted by loadshedding, as these new analysers had problems similar to that of the aged analysers. Thus, the load shedding not only impacted the aged analyser lifespan, but also the new analyser lifespan, which was being reduced due to the continuous power interruptions resulting in analyser component failures. As a result, the analyser maintenance budgets were increasingly used for analyser repairs. In addition, officials increasingly had to visit the stations to troubleshoot the analysers to improve on the data collection. This has meant that much more time was spent in the field, resulting in officials spending after hours (private time) to analyse and report on the data collected. The reduced data collection and reporting on air quality parameters to stakeholders, such as municipal Air Quality Officials and DFFE, was impacted in terms of our ability to address air quality complaints and measure present air quality.

Load shedding has increasingly continued to impact on the data loggers which have needed constant attention, as software needed to be reloaded or components needed to be replaced, at many of the stations in 2021 and/or 2022 (e.g. Stellenbosch, Maitland, Saldanha Bay, Hermanus).

These additional activities take time away from officials who would under normal circumstances be able to dedicate and focus their attention to improving the WCG AAQMN operation and increased data recovery.

60% of CapeNature reserves already have some form of off-grid power in the form of gas or solar power and thus have been less affected by loadshedding.

CapeNature’s Head Office is situated in a DTPW building that has a fully functional generator which keeps critical equipment operational.

In general, the Department’s service delivery was and is not affected by loadshedding.

Cape Town office building was not and should not be affected by loadshedding; and

George office loadshedding covered by onsite generator.

However, departmental officials conducting fieldwork e.g. investigations, inspections, events, etc. may be more at risk and when travelling by motor car to the destination. Traffic light and street outages put the officials travel at more risk. Also, the potential extended loadshedding period, reported of up to 2 years, must cause frustration with the public and they may vent frustrations with protests e.g. burning of tires, stoning of vehicles, etc. putting our officials at risk. Business affected by loadshedding may also delay the fieldwork resulting in time wasted.

Air Quality:

During 2023, loadshedding with relation to stages 5 and 6 has become more frequent since 2022, which has had a greater impact on the “down-time” of the stations. The aged and new analysers, which experienced repeated load shedding events in the previous years, have now become more susceptible to problems as the components have been degraded over time due to the increased loadshedding episodes, thus resulting in the over-all lifespan of the analysers having been reduced now.

The fact that analysers require stable operating temperatures and sampling flows has become more evident now, as the analyser components have become more unreliable, resulting in measurement accuracy being reduced. This means that officials have to spend increased time in the field at the stations to troubleshoot the analysers to ensure that accurate data are collected.

The constant changes in load shedding stages further has impacted negatively on the maintenance and repair visits (planned to avoid load shedding times); however, changes in loadshedding stages at short notice during the day has resulted in officials arriving at stations to find that the power is out and that they have to wait for power to be restored before continuing with their analyser checks and routine maintenance at the stations.

From the most recent example on 1 February 2023

Oudtshoorn, the loadshedding schedule indicated load shedding to start at 14:00, and thus officials arrived at the station at 11:00 to perform routine maintenance. While working, the power went out at 12:00, as the schedule had changed. Officials waited until 14:30 to ensure that analysers were operational after loadshedding, noting that analysers require an hour to stabilize, and then a further 3-4 hours to perform the analyser tests. Thus, given the timeframe requirements, the station maintenance was rescheduled for the next morning to avoid loadshedding impacts, which was expected at 12:00 -16:30 and then again from 20:00 - 22:30.  

The above are direct impacts of loadshedding on the routine maintenance schedules of the stations, and while officials are required to be available for unplanned station maintenance visits, the loadshedding impact require that they often need double the time to do these checks and then also to perform QA/QC on the data measured, before any reporting can be done.

The impact of load shedding on both the aged and new analysers has continued to result in reduced air quality data measurements and reporting on air quality parameters. Currently 6 of the 12 stations report below the 75% data requirement, of which 5 stations have low data capture due to the data logger and analyser restart issues resulting from the increased and continued loadshedding. The 5 stations impacted currently by the increased loadshedding stages are Maitland, Mossel Bay, Malmesbury, Oudtshoorn and Saldanha Bay.

It has become very difficult to follow the constant loadshedding schedule changes and co-ordinate station maintenance accordingly, especially at the stations located further afield from Cape Town.

60% of CapeNature reserves already have some form of off-grid power in the form of gas or solar power and thus have been less affected by loadshedding.

CapeNature’s Head Office is situated in a DTPW building that has a fully functional generator which keeps critical equipment operational.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

1. Planning:
   1. Implemented a robust Business Continuity Management System – BCMS (Business Impact Assessment, Business Continuity Plan, Contingency Plan, Disaster Recovery Plan) since 2016.
   2. Maintain BCMS
   3. BCMS testing
   4. DRP testing by Department, Branch e-Innovation and transversal system custodians.
   5. Alternate site, with diesel generator and solar panel array installation, identified in event of blackout.
   6. Service providers and stakeholders are required to have BCMS with loadshedding mitigation.
   7. Address future infrastructure requirements in the U-AMP
   8. Maintain good working relationships and open communication with stakeholders to ensure that ICT and accommodation is conducive to operations.
   9. Electronic data and information stored on cloud-based solutions with back-ups routinely performed by the service providers.
2. Diesel Generators:
   1. Cape Town and George offices have permanent onsite generator installations to provide critical electrical power during bouts of loadshedding.
   2. Routine maintenance conducted and diesel replenished by the Department of Transport and Public Works: WCG
3. Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and Laptops:
   1. UPS’ installed on sensitive equipment e.g. ICT infrastructure like a network switch or air quality monitoring stations.
   2. Laptops are procured to replace existing out-of-warranty laptops and desktop computers to cover power outages by working off the laptop battery.
4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS):
   1. Loss of water pressure would diminish the ability to extinguish a small fire, therefore a fire extinguisher may need to be used.
   2. Firefighting training provided and equipment maintained.
   3. Contingency Plan current and evacuation procedure practiced.

Air Quality:

Where possible, engaged with landowners where air quality monitoring stations are located to assist with alternative power supply (UPS or generator) during load shedding:

• The Licence Holder installed a large capacity UPS at the Maitland station air quality monitoring station during 2022 to mitigate the effects of load shedding.
• The landowners where the Hermanus station is located has supplied power to the air quality monitoring station from its UPS system which reduces the length of power outages at this location.
• During 2022, the District Municipality installed a generator at their Stellenbosch offices, which then also supply the air quality monitoring station located on the site. However, due to budget constraints, the generator is not operational during 2023, and so data collection at the Stellenbosch station is impacted on during loadshedding, as there is no back-up power.
• The George station was relocated (as load shedding affected) to the District Municipal premises, which has an on-site generator and has limited loadshedding impacts (commissioned in February 2023).
• The Paarl station has an on-site generator, which supplies power and mitigates the length of loadshedding events.
• The Khayelitsha station has recently been exempted from loadshedding, given its location at the hospital, and thus the station has limited loadshedding impacts.

Although the above mitigation measures have aided with ensuring that some stations continue to operate during loadshedding events, there have been occasions when generators have run out of fuel during extended loadshedding events, resulting in power interruptions, and hence no air quality being collected during those time. This is especially the case over weekend, after hours or when multiple loadshedding events occur within short timeframes.      

The overall impact of loadshedding on the aged and new infrastructure, which is compounded by the lack of budget to replace aged analysers, as well as the increased demand on human resource capacity, which is already limited, has required that the Department rethink the number of stations in the Network, as part of its mitigation measures, going forward. The intention is to work more efficiently and effectively with fewer stations, given the loadshedding impacts on the infrastructure, and the limited budget and human resource capacity to maintain 12 stations in the Network. Thus, in going forward, the number of stations will be reduced, as an interim measure until budget for both infrastructure and human resource capacity become available, coupled with reduced or no loadshedding, from the current 12 to 10 stations in the Network.

Since 2020, the impact of the lockdown restrictions has allowed CapeNature staff to continue working from remote locations. This allows them to plan around the loadshedding schedules to ensure that they have sufficient power for their equipment. At the time of the initial hard lockdowns, the entity stopped procuring desktop computers and only procures laptops. This allows staff to be productive during load shedding stages 1-4 regardless of their location.

Mobile power stations purchased to power staff’s critical work equipment (R207 522)

Solar PV were installed at the following locations in 2022:

Robberg Nature Reserve – R283 400

Cederberg Wilderness – R 266 300

Solar PV will be installed at Anysberg in 2023 - R3 151 594

1. Planning:
   1. Identified critical business processes and systems.
   2. Improved the resilience of the Department to loadshedding.
   3. Loadshedding and BCMS testing lessons learned has informed BCMS review and hardened the Department to withstand impacts of loadshedding.
   4. DRP testing evaluates the adequacy of the back-ups and efficacy of response.
   5. Safeguard against injury or loss of life to fulfill OHS obligations of the Department.
   6. Improved the resilience against data and information corruption or losses.
2. Diesel Generators:
   1. Provides for uninterrupted power supply.
   2. Reduces chances of damage to equipment
3. Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) and Laptops:
   1. Powers equipment during power outages
   2. Protects equipment sensitive to sudden power outages or spikes.
   3. Laptop procurement strategy allows for resilience against power outages and allows for improved mobility when needing to work remotely, including relocating to an alternate site.
4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS):
   1. Improved resilience to prevent injury or loss of life.

Air Quality:

• Data capture reductions previously affected by loadshedding has improved at locations, where analysers experience reduced loadshedding due to on-site generators (Paarl, George), UPS (Maitland) or due to loadshedding exemptions (Khayelitsha).
• During stage 1, 2 and 3 loadshedding, the Maitland station was able to cope with once per day, two-hour load shedding events, due to the UPS that was installed. However, with increased loadshedding stages (4, 5, 6, etc.) there is not enough time for the UPS to recharge and thus battery capacity is reduced and power to air quality analysers is not sustained for the full load shedding time.
• The station located at Paarl has improved data capture due to the on-site generator that is to some degree mitigating the impacts of increased loadshedding.
• The station at Hermanus has improved data capture when the on-site UPS system is operational.

At loadshedding levels of 1 to 4, CapeNature’s mitigating measure are successful, however when loadshedding is above stage 4, the batteries do not have sufficient time to recharge, and generators run out of diesel.

2019/20

R64 158 495,36

2020/21

104 948 041,37

2021/22

R120 993 815,94

2022/23 to date

R110 077 675,14

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

An assessment has been conducted on the primary healthcare components of public health service delivery requiring a reliable source of power supply for the provision of various services to the public. This constitutes essential clinical services and support of clean environments for infection control. This was developed in a inverter/PV strategy for a high priority rollout for clinics. Hospital and other large facilities are capacitated with emergency stand-bay generators.

The Department only currently has 2 facilities with solar PV embedded generation, being Mitchell’s Plain Hospital and Khayelitsha Hospital. MPH – 64 kW, KDH – 18 kW.

An Energy Services Company (ESCO) is in the process of auditing these hospitals and will provide proposals to take over the maintenance and provide increased PV generation. A number of proposals are being compiled for other hospitals, but these will require capital investment, to go along with the shared savings schemes.

To alleviate the situation under the stage 4 to 6 black-outs and continuity of service offerings, all our hospitals, Community Health Centres (CHC’s) and Community Day Centres (CDC’s) have generators and many of our clinics are also equipped with generators or UPS systems. The response time for an alternate power source, like UPS, needs to be faster than 0.5 seconds for all medical equipment in ICUs, theatres, and recovery areas, where there are high-risk patients.

WCGH is in the process of implementing a rapid deployment of hybrid inverter, battery and solar photvoltaic systems at 51 clinics in Phase 1, with Phase 2 to begin after that. Inverters with energy storage in the form of lithium batteries are far more robust backup systems than the standard UPS systems, even larger UPS’s. These inverter systems are effective backup systems for clinical services at rural (and even urban) clinics, as opposed to generator systems requiring regular maintenance and fuel storage and supply logistics.

Most UPSs only function for a limited time before they need re-energising, and as a result, hospitals are required to invest in multiple UPS battery back-ups, each of which must deliver power for a minimum of regulated minutes. This power source is, however, only a temporary bridge that ensures enough time for the compulsory alternate source of power from a critical generator to supply the hospital and getting a quality UPS is costly. Electricity is also rerouted from non-essential parts of the hospital, such as admin to trauma units, emergency theatres and areas where critically ill patients are, like those connected to oxygen points and life support.

The equipment is at risk because of black-outs, ventilators are of key importance especially for ICU and must be protected. The risk of faulty ventilators could place our patients lives in danger and if it is interrupted it could lead to death.

The Western Cape Department of Health has made submissions, for the exemption of an additional 10 hospitals on the “Eskom grid” and 9 additional (to the existing 3) under “City grid”. Since then, the City of Cape Town and Eskom have made progress in exempting more hospitals. Tygerberg, Groote Schuur and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospitals were already exempted prior to the request for the additional 19 hospitals.

Additional Hospitals now exempted on City of Cape Town grid:

1. New Somerset Hospital
2. Mitchells’ Plain Hospital
3. Karl Bremer Hospital and
4. Victoria Hospital
5. Mowbray Maternity Hospital
6. Wesfleur Hospital

In Progress / Under Investigation in priority order:

False bay Hospital, Heldeberg Hospital, Oral health Centre (Tygerberg)

Additional Hospital exempted on the Eskom grid:

1. George Hospital

In Progress / Under Investigation in priority order:

In the Metro: Khayelitsha Hospital, Eerste River Hospital,

Rural Hospitals: Beaufort West Hospital, Caledon Hospital, Ceres Hospital

Oudtshoorn Hospital, Paarl Hospital, Vredendal Hospital, Worcester Hospital

As indicated above, the two electricity providers are currently investigating and assessing the exemption of these hospitals from their grids. The Department is in regular contact with the two electricity providers on the progress which is dependent on various impacting factors.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

No effect on Human Settlements service delivery.

No effect on Human Settlements service delivery.

No effect on Human Settlements service delivery.

No effect on Human Settlements service delivery to date.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

Measures implemented:

• The generator installed in Human Settlements is fully operational.
• Generator is serviced quarterly in line with prescribed standards.
• Generators of Human Settlements re-fueled by Department of Transport and Public Works in line with agreement reached between the respective Heads of Departments.
• Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and Contingency plans is approved annually by Head of Department and implemented by Human Settlements facilities and their staff.
• Warm site for Human Settlements (being the Human Settlements Goodwood office) fully functional and can be activated immediately if needed due to any disaster.
• Once Disaster Management Centre activate due to load shedding, Department of Human Settlements participate in Western Cape Disaster management JOC meetings. Situations report is disseminated to the Head of Department and CFO.
• Human Settlements drafted their prolonged electricity disruption risk assessment (internal and external) and provided input to Disaster Management Centre in September 2022.

Department of Human Settlements were able to assist clients during all the periods without being affected by power outages (load shedding), thus not hampering Human Settlements service delivery.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

There have been no challenges with regards to loadshedding during this period due to COVID as most officials were working from home.

There have been no challenges with regards to loadshedding during this period due to COVID as most officials were working from home.

There has not been Major Service Delivery Challenges experienced.

However:

•The air conditioning system did not work optimally at times because of power outages.

•We experienced network connectivity challenges when needed to join online meetings.

•The Service Providers took longer than expected (as indicated in the service level agreement) to provide their services due to delays on the roads.

•GG services/repairs took much longer due to load shedding at the Service Provider Premises

•The access control doors at the regional offices (Metro 1 and Metro 2) could not work during shedding when generators could not kick in.

Communication:

DLG Municipal Communications assisted municipalities with communication awareness campaigns around loadshedding and the relation between current loadshedding and water provision.

There has not been Major Service Delivery Challenges experienced.

However:

•The air conditioning system was not working optimally at times because of power outages.

•The Service Providers took longer than expected (as indicated in the service level agreement) to provide their service due to delays on the roads.

•GG services/repairs took longer due to load shedding at the Service Provider Premises

•When we report urgent maintenance matters, sometimes emails take extremely long to deliver and receive feedback.

•Karoo regional offices do not have water during loadshedding as the Municipality’s water is dependent on borehole supply.

•During loadshedding there has been an increase in theft and damage of infrastructure at the regional offices.

Communication:

DLG Municipal Communications assisted municipalities with communication awareness campaigns around loadshedding and the relation between current loadshedding and water provision.

CD: Integrated Service Delivery:

The lack of energy security in the country has impacted basic government service delivery systems e.g. in Thusong Service Centres resulting in the following:

•Citizens unable to access key government services and information as some Thusong Service Centres and service departments do not have back-up energy sources.

•Backlogs for ID applications and retrievals.

•SITA down times

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

Most service challenges experienced by the Department have been on infrastructure therefore the Landlord/DTPW need to provide mitigation measures.

•In Waldorf, the building management have a generator, however it is not connected to a UPS. The matter is still under discussion between the landlord and custodian.

•The intention is to request installation of solar/hybrid systems at regional offices that have power issues during loadshedding (generators are not cost effective)

VPNs have been made available for remote access to the transversal systems.

Rotation of staff, culture of trust and care assists with people going the extra mile on their own to complete tasks.

Manual order book in place in the event systems or building is inaccessible.

Staff have been issued Laptops and 3Gs allowing staff to work remotely.

In relation to WC: PDMC, the following contingencies are in place:

•The Western Cape Provincial Disaster Management Centre (WC: PDMC) is located at the Tygerberg Hospital which is exempted from load-shedding.

•The facility has generating capacity; and

•Limited radio communication capacity is available via EMS Metro Control and Hamnet throughout the Province.

•An audit of all Thusong Service Centres has been conducted during January 2023 to ascertain the extent of the service disruptions with a view to determine how best to support the Centres.

•The occurrence and severity of loadshedding is expected to increase in 2023 with stage 4 expected to be the norm with further frequent occurrences of stage 6. The crippling effects of loadshedding on basic municipal services and more so on the water and sanitation function in municipalities are anticipated to be catastrophic. Municipalities will be unable to comply with their Constitutional mandate of providing portable water for consumption as well as maintaining a healthy environment.

•Firstly, in terms of water services, municipalities will not be able to pump water from their respective sources, clean the raw water to meet the required SANS standards, nor fill reservoirs to ensure adequate water provision. This can lead to significant and prolonged water shortages and decline in water quality to communities which will have a detrimental effect on their daily lives, impact on their health and cause further economic decline.

•Furthermore, in terms of sanitation services, municipalities will also be unable to comply with their Water Use License conditions due to overflowing and spillage of sewage at pumpstations where generators or other forms of backup energy sources are not available. This would result in a significant pollution risk of watercourses, posing an increased load on the general health system, and potentially reduced economic productivity with a knock-on effect on local economic development.

•Given the Department’s mandate to support and strengthen the capacity of municipalities to manage their own affairs, to exercise their powers and to perform their functions, several initiatives are currently being undertaken with the aim of assisting municipalities to manage and mitigate the impact of prolonged load shedding on their citizens.

•These support initiatives include, amongst others, technical advisory services, development of response strategies, assessment of key infrastructure components, and facilitation of partnerships. The Department is currently drafting a strategic document that will aim to formalize before-mentioned support initiatives and to provide strategic direction and guidance for further support to municipalities in this regard.

VPNs work and have assisted with remote access to the transversal systems.

Rotation of staff, culture of trust and care definitely assisted with people going the extra mile on their own to complete tasks.

Staff are able to access emails etc due to the issuing of Laptops and 3Gs and also allows staff to work remotely.

•Deployment of DLG engineers to support municipalities.

•Ongoing guidance and advise to municipalities experiencing challenges.

•Secure gensets from other municipalities, partners, and the private sectors to provide municipalities support to specific critical infrastructure.

•Secure and amount of cabinet to provide financial support to municipalities to procure generators to provide backup electricity and critical infrastructure installations.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

Employees were not initially able to remain online during loadshedding when COVID-19 restrictions were in place which impacted on their ability to use MS Teams, applications, systems, e-mail, and other ICT Services.

Impacted negatively on the co-ordination of online learning

As employees returned to the office, the effects of loadshedding were mitigated due to generators being in place at most sites in the CBD.

Impacted negatively on the co-ordination of online learning.

As employees returned to the office, the effects of loadshedding were mitigated due to generators being in place at most sites in the CBD.

Impacted negatively on the co-ordination of online learning.

Lesser impact on business continuity as mitigation measures took effect.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

1. Impacted negatively on the availability of all the IT networks and systems. Branch e-Innovation:

• Installed Uninterrupted Power Supplies (UPS) on most of the network and server infrastructure.
• Moved key network and systems infrastructure into Tier Data Centres where power never goes off.
• Moved e-Mail, Teams, and systems into the cloud over the past 5 years so it is always available.

2. WCG DG Circular 34 of 2022 was issued on 14 June 2022 to all departments with specific reference to paragraphs 12 and 13, which deals with the WCG Alternative Work Arrangements Guide, and Regulation 51 of the Public Service Regulations, 2016 the Departmental Alternative Work Arrangements Policy, but with specific reference to:

“Employees who enter into such Remote Work Agreements, must capacitate themselves to ensure an online presence during working time. As such, if an employee is unable to secure an online presence, e.g. during loadshedding, the employee is to return to the workplace to make use of office infrastructure”. This was reiterated in a departmental DG Memo of 3 October 2022 that made it incumbent on employees to ensure loadshedding does not interfere with their ability to be productive whilst working from home.

3. An approved Electricity Disruption Plan for the Department is in place.
4. Business Impact Analysis in key business units is being updated.
5. Communication Plan for the 2023/24 financial year aimed at reducing demand for electricity in the WCG.
6. Most buildings are equipped with generators which are installed, maintained, and fueled by the Department of Transport and Public Works.

There is also an industrial size generator installed at the Provincial Training Institute which is being serviced by the Department of Transport and Public Works who also provides diesel. This enabled officials to be productive during loadshedding and enabled the co-ordination of online training to continue uninterrupted. Each ICT switch on the campus has an UPS installed and also the server of the Local Area Network (LAN) has a compatible size UPS installed by CeI.

Minimal impact on business continuity, except where DotP employees are accommodated as tenants in private buildings or buildings that belong to other WCG departments that do not have generators in place. In these instances, employees are negatively affected by loadshedding.

As indicated, the co-ordination of online training could continue with no interruption or any adverse effects.

Due to the measures implemented by the Branch e-Innovation there is no or little down time on Network and systems server infrastructure. Access is available to systems and IT Services from anywhere at any time, provided there is connectivity (external or internal). Branch e-Innovation continues to install UPS’s, moving network and system infrastructure into Tier Data Centres and the cloud.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

Most officials were working from home either entirely or intermittently during this period. Loadshedding did disrupt connectivity and reduce computer availability, particularly in cases where officials were working with desktop computers or laptops with ageing batteries. The Procurement Client Service Walk-In Centre situated in Canal Walk experienced similar challenges with power interruptions and this impacted on their ability to provide services to the public.

Most officials continued to work from home either entirely or intermittently during this period. Loadshedding did disrupt connectivity and reduce computer availability, particularly in cases where officials were working with desktop computers or laptops with ageing batteries. The Procurement Client Service Walk-In Centre situated in Canal Walk experienced similar challenges with power interruptions and this impacted on their ability to provide services to the public.

With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, officials were able to return to office. As the buildings in which Provincial Treasury is accommodated contains the correct infrastructure to cope with the disruption brought about by loadshedding the productivity was not significantly decreased. However, with the overuse of the generators and the shortage of diesel this has created strain on the machines and as a result there is the need for constant maintenance which has often caused other linked challenges such as shutting off the air-conditioning system which made the office space uncomfortable. Over and above loadshedding there were significant disruptions brought about by poor network connectivity challenges that affected productivity and service delivery in a negative way.

Same as 2022 thus far.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

• The development of Business Continuity Plan to respond to the energy crisis as it exacerbates.
• Ensure regular backups of work to SharePoint / OneDrive / MyContent to prevent loss of data and corruption.
• Implementation of Alternative Working Arrangements Policy (Reviewed Annually).
• Implementation of eSignature Policy to allow for the electronic signing of documents.
• Planning around the load shedding schedule.
• Communication of load-shedding response tips to all employees.
• ICT refresh process of outdated and damaged laptops and desktops and replacing with laptops on all levels.

• Business Continuity Plan yet to be implemented but Provincial Treasury readying itself for any eventualities (including rolling blackouts).
• Prevention of loss of data and corruption.
• Communications on loadshedding tips has enhanced employee morale.
• E-Signature has allowed for the fast tracking/processing of documents.
• The ICT refresh has allowed for officials to ensure the loss of critical data, documents and processes are minimised.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

R180 000

Sustainable Livelihoods

Perishable goods are at risk of spoiling due to no electricity.

Feeding was delayed as some sites are dependent on electricity.

R272 000

Youth Development

Some Youth cafes had to close temporarily. Online programmes could not be completed on time.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Perishable goods are at risk of spoiling due to no electricity.

Feeding was delayed as some sites were dependent on electricity

R502 000

Youth Development

Some Youth cafes had to close temporarily. Online programmes could not be completed on time. The network at the office during loadshedding period is not reliable.

Sustainable Livelihoods

The inability to buy perishable goods in bulk as they may go “off” resulted in increased transport costs and in some instances goods shortages as suppliers were also stocking limited items.

For those feeding sites utilizing electricity stoves, food preparation and feeding times had to be adjusted in accordance with loadshedding schedules.

Having to have both electricity and gas equipment, especially stoves and fridges.

R2 460 000 till end of Jan

Our NPO residential facilities are indicating that they cannot absorb the energy cost as part of their current budgets.

Youth Development

Some Youth cafes had to close for extended periods. Online programmes could not be completed on time. The network at the office during loadshedding period is not reliable.

Impact on IT

The National DSD is more prone to load shedding impacting on their IT infrastructure as their Servers do not all have adequate backup power. This has a knock-on effect on access to the national systems in the Province, impacting our productivity and usage of the national systems.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

DSD run residential care centres:

Participate in transversal diesel contract to enhance availability and distribution.

Switched to gas provision on stoves in kitchens; Included batteries in security equipment on doors/gates/cameras/enhanced diesels storage facilities at CYCCs;

Back up battery powered lights.

Generators at all centres

We are heavily cutting our programme provision in order to reprioritise funding at this stage, but it is not sustainable.

DSD local offices

Installation of generators at Shared services buildings and some leased buildings ensured that some offices were able to operate during office hours.

Social Workers did home visits during loadshedding.

Procurement of laptops and provisioning of 3G cards

Sustainable Livelihoods

The purchasing of gas stoves and 9kg gas cylinders for all feeding sites province wide. The fridges and freezers purchased are using electricity rendering them semi-redundant.

Impact on IT

The Department has eMobility as a backup when the network is down, however, eMobility only works when the mobile towers have power.

DSD run residential care centres:

• Expenses tripled above allocated budget in the current financial year.  Budget insufficient to cope with diesel increases.
• Generators are breaking down due to overuse. Plan to procure a mobile generator.
• Battery life on security equipment insufficient to deal with longer periods of load shedding since it does not have adequate time to charge.
• Other mitigations assisted.

DSD local offices

• Most offices were able to render services during office hours.

Sustainable Livelihoods

Service is being rendered consistently without having to adjust days and times of feeding.

Youth Programme services continued.

(i)2020

(ii) 2021

(iii) 2022

(iv) 2023

The nature of the wide range of services for which DTPW is responsible is such that it has essentially been able to continue with other aspects of work when electricity has been cut e.g. on a construction or maintenance site, while power driven tools may be unusable for a time, plastering, bricklaying, levelling and so on can continue. On most road projects, construction companies provide their own power given the variable locations of the work to be done.  Within a relatively short time of loadshedding becoming a regular occurrence, DTPW had ensured that its key work locations were adequately serviced with generators. A far greater threat lies in the inability of other agencies and spheres of government upon which DTPW is dependent for services e.g., property transfers, zoning applications, the Deeds Office.

The nature of the wide range of services for which DTPW is responsible is such that it has essentially been able to continue with other aspects of work when electricity has been cut e.g. on a construction or maintenance site, while power driven tools may be unusable for a time, plastering, bricklaying, levelling and so on can continue. On most road projects, construction companies provide their own power given the variable locations of the work to be done.  Within a relatively short time of loadshedding becoming a regular occurrence, DTPW had ensured that its key work locations were adequately serviced with generators. A far greater threat lies in the inability of other agencies and spheres of government upon which DTPW is dependent for services e.g., property transfers, zoning applications, the Deeds Office.

The nature of the wide range of services for which DTPW is responsible is such that it has essentially been able to continue with other aspects of work when electricity has been cut e.g. on a construction or maintenance site, while power driven tools may be unusable for a time, plastering, bricklaying, levelling and so on can continue. On most road projects, construction companies provide their own power given the variable locations of the work to be done.  Within a relatively short time of loadshedding becoming a regular occurrence, DTPW had ensured that its key work locations were adequately serviced with generators. A far greater threat lies in the inability of other agencies and spheres of government upon which DTPW is dependent for services e.g., property transfers, zoning applications, the Deeds Office.

The nature of the wide range of services for which DTPW is responsible is such that it has essentially been able to continue with other aspects of work when electricity has been cut e.g. on a construction or maintenance site, while power driven tools may be unusable for a time, plastering, bricklaying, levelling and so on can continue. On most road projects, construction companies provide their own power given the variable locations of the work to be done.  Within a relatively short time of loadshedding becoming a regular occurrence, DTPW had ensured that its key work locations were adequately serviced with generators. A far greater threat lies in the inability of other agencies and spheres of government upon which DTPW is dependent for services e.g., property transfers, zoning applications, the Deeds Office.

(i) Mitigation measures to minimise effects of loadshedding

(ii) what successes have these measures had to date

As indicated, DTPW was able relatively quickly to ensure alternative power in its key work locations as well as ensuring the availability of diesel for these and other generators for which it is responsible. Obviously, measures such as these have additional budgetary implications. Steps were also taken to shut down points of electricity consumption which were not required on a 24-hour basis. The judicious use of the working from home arrangements instituted during the COVID pandemic has further ensured that service delivery has not been significantly hampered.

As indicated, DTPW was able relatively quickly to ensure alternative power in its key work locations as well as ensuring the availability of diesel for these and other generators for which it is responsible. Obviously, measures such as these have additional budgetary implications. Steps were also taken to shut down points of electricity consumption which were not required on a 24-hour basis. The judicious use of the working from home arrangements instituted during the COVID pandemic has further ensured that service delivery has not been significantly hampered.