Athlone demolition gives pause for thought
If you've driven out to the airport or just looked out over Athlone from Table Mountain and are feeling a bit nostalgic, here's a YouTube clip to remind you why we don't need any more coal-fired powerstations.
The towers were imploded on Sunday 22 August a few minutes earlier than expected, but planned that way to ensure they fell safely before the rain came down. The towers literally fell in on themselves and the grass in the surrounding area was left intact. The rubble amounting to about 21,600 tonnes will be recycled, made into bricks and reused for city development, a measure that may warm the hearts of those miffed by the demolition's early detonation.
“A piece of history has come down with a bang, which is a little sad, but there is reason to smile as cleaner energy sources will see a lower carbon, more modern, liveable and equitable city in the future”, says Sarah Ward, Head of the City’s Energy and Climate Change Unit. “In the meantime, consumers can do a lot to minimize the amount of electricity they use by following the savings tips located here.”
“The City recognises that its economic, social and environmental well-being is vulnerable to poor energy security, to high carbon and to climate change impacts. To address energy security and mitigate and adapt to climate change, the City is implementing a rigorous, pioneering programme that builds on our city’s competitive advantages.”
Says Alderman Marian Nieuwoudt, Mayoral Committee Member for Planning and Environment, and the Chair of the City’s Energy Committee: "Historically, cheap electricity has meant very low levels of energy efficiency in households and production processes. Now the country has been hit with unanticipated severe and worsening national electricity supply constraints resulting in the threat of black outs and sharp tariff increases. To address these challenges, the City has developed a comprehensive Energy and Climate Change Action Plan, comprising 43 programme areas, made up of 115 projects, which address carbon mitigation through energy efficiency."
"The good news", continues Sarah, "is that an Energy Efficiency Forum has been set up for large commercial and industrial electricity consumers. The City’s Youth Environmental School (YES) programme already reaches about 1 600 schools per year, and 'Smart Living' programmes reach thousands of public and private sector companies and residents. Public lighting, traffic lights and the City’s own large office buildings are being upgraded to be more energy efficient. The City has developed Green Building Guidelines and is also working on a programme to support the mass rollout of solar water heaters."
