2009-04-09 - ABB South Africa has joined the list of Eskom approved suppliers of subsidised energy efficient motors to the South African industrial sectors.
The company, which offers a wide range of power and automation solutions, and has undertaken major projects for Eskom, is the latest supplier of energy efficient motors to be accredited by Eskom. This means that in future, companies looking to replace old electric motors with energy efficient motors through ABB will qualify for an Eskom subsidy on each new efficient motor purchased.
In South Africa, the ABB group has a strong local manufacturing capability with seven manufacturing sites around the country. The company is known for introducing technologies such as FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) that help make the transmission and distribution of electricity more energy efficient. It has also developed technologies that reduce losses in distribution.
Commenting on ABB’s future role in the Eskom energy efficient motors programme, Oren Prato of Eskom DSM said that since the commencement of Eskom’s Energy Efficient Motors Programme, suppliers who are registered on the programme have found a huge increase in demand for EFF1 motors. Their stock holding in EFF1 motors has increased by approximately 30%. This is great news for the programme, Eskom and the country.
Prato further explained that the Eskom subsidy scheme , which applies to registered suppliers of energy efficient motors, enables the cost of these motors to be reduced. Any added costs are quickly amortised by the significant savings that can be achieved by running energy efficient motors in plants.
Motors that qualify for the subsidy range from 1.1 kW units to 90 kW motors. The 1.1kW units will qualify for a subsidy of R400. At the top of the range, the 90kW unit subsidy will be R 3 500. Added to this direct subsidy, must be the significant operating savings that are achieved. A 22kW energy efficient motor will include a R 1 400 once-off subsidy on the catalogue price and produce energy savings of 9,056kWh/ a year or R5 071 a year.
Companies taking advantage of the offer are required to return their old EFF2 or EFF3 motor- with all components (stator and rotor) intact- to the suppliers when they make the purchase of a new EFF1 motor. The old motors are then scrapped in a process monitored by independent auditors appointed by Eskom.
Anton Henning, Sales Manager (LV motors) ABB, said that ABB felt strongly about the use of energy efficient motors in South Africa and was working hard to educate users about their benefits.
“There is a need for the message that Eskom is serious about the subsidy programme to be constantly heard. We are doing our best to be an active part of the process,” Henning said.
Commercial and industrial criteria apply to all suppliers wishing to participate in the programme. Once approved, a supplier’s details will appear on Eskom’s Demand Side Management website at www.eskom.co.za/dsm. The site also carries full subsidy details.
Potential suppliers and those wishing to obtain more information can do so through contacting the EE Motors Help Desk on (011) 800 4744 for details.