The eta Awards, which have attracted hundreds of entries in their nine major categories for twenty-two years and are sponsored by Eskom and endorsed by the Department of Energy, have made some changes in their repertoire, including the introduction of a new category “Energy Savings in Households” and some fresh ideas to attract further entries.
The Energy Savings in Households category will acknowledge and reward people who have implemented innovative energy efficiency applications at home. Not only do these innovators have the chance to reduce their energy consumption and cost dramatically, but they also stand the chance to win R30,000 or R5,000 as a runner-up.
Says Dr Steve Lennon, Divisional Executive: Corporate Services at Eskom: “More and more South Africans are looking for ways to save energy – learners wanting to make a difference, householders cutting costs, engineers and large companies working hard to reduce their use of electricity and save vital resources.
“At Eskom, we believe that it is our role, along with government and business, to encourage this emerging mindset among our 49 million (and growing) population. It is essential for South Africa’s future that we all become energy savers and use electricity effectively.
“Through the eta Awards, we hope to encourage more citizens to use electricity correctly and sparingly, with the view to investing in energy efficiency tools and techniques.
“There is a wealth of information available for someone who hopes to save on their household budget through cutting back on their largest expense – a geyser alone can contribute at least 70 percent to the household electricity bill.”
By installing last year’s winner in the eta Awards’ Residential category, Geyserwise’s intelligent energy control system that digitally programs, monitors and controls a geyser’s energy consumption, consumers can look forward to between 17 and 50 percent savings in both peak shifting and lower energy consumption.
“It is innovations like these that started with the bright idea of one individual, and have progressed to over 80,000 units installed over the past 24 months, that have the power to make a remarkable difference on our electricity consumption as a nation. I urge each and every South African to ‘Remember You Power’ and make a difference,” concludes Dr Lennon.
Entries are now open for the 22nd Eskom eta Awards and interested individuals and businesses can enter the innovation, industrial, commercial and residential; energy efficiency awareness (previously Power Fitness); Efficiency Champion: Industrial & Communities; Young Designers; Energy Savings in Households (new category) categories.
Entries close on Friday, August 5, 2011. To find out more about how you or your company can enter the 2011 eta Awards, visit www.eta-awards.co.za
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