Energy In Rural Areas

Integrated Energy Centres

A new approach of the government is to grant solar concessions to private consortia in order to provide energy services in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Limpopo and the Eastern Cape. In recognising the limitations of the use of electricity alone, this new model promotes a mix of fuels when addressing energy poverty. 

Totalgaz and TotalEnergies have adopted this strategy and are currently supplying gas to the following energy centres:

• Kgalagadi Integrated Energy Centre, located at Dithakong, a cluster of nine villages in the Northern Cape.
• Caba Mdeni, situated in Maluti, about 25 km from Matatiele in the Eastern Cape.
• Eshane Integrated Energy Centre, located in the Natal Midlands Kwa-Zulu Natal.

This strategy has been conceived and developed towards providing a ‘basket’ of services rather than focusing exclusively on electricity.

The package of energy services in these centres is made up of:

• LPG (9, 12, 14, 19, 48 kg cylinders, as well as Shesha)
• Petrol
• Diesel
• Paraffin
• Candles
• Prepaid electricity cards
• Cell phone and Telkom airtime vouchers.