20100328
SABC

Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan has warned that South Africa faces increased risks of power cuts from next year to 2013. Hogan says this is unless co-generation projects come on line and consumers begin to conserve electricity.

The warning is contained in her written response to questions in Parliament. Hogan says if initiatives aimed at saving energy fail, the risk of blackouts will increase.

South Africa is battling a chronic power shortage. Eskom is planning to invest R461-billion to boost generating capacity. It's also seeking to diversify from reliance on coal-fired power stations, which provide about 95 % of the country's power.

Meanwhile, thousands of delegates from power utility suppliers in seven Southern Africa Development Community countries are presently meeting in Bloemfontein. The delegates are sharing their experiences on the successes and challenges in their countries such as electricity tariff hikes.