Eskom Fish Farming
The power company that supplies 45 percent of continental Africa's electricity is involved in improving aquaculture businesses. Eskom has a history of assisting local enterprises with their electricity needs for fish production. In a region where electric service often cannot keep up with demand, Eskom works with fish farms and other agricultural operations to customize energy supply. In one case, Eskom helped brighten the economic outlook for an entire community through its support of a fish farming opportunity.
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History
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Eskom is an energy provider operating in South Africa, producing 95 percent of its electricity. In June 2003, the company unveiled the country's first solar-powered commercial fish farm operation. The HD Hill Fish Farm in Pietermaritz uses 500 solar panels that create a potential 5,000 kilowatts per day. It is the largest commercial solar water heating system in the southern hemisphere. HD Hill produces the warmth-loving catfish for eventual export to several large foreign markets including the USA.
Function
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Tropical Fish The HD Hill Fish Farm is integral to the operation of a community-based initiative funded by Eskom. In KwaZulu-Natal, Dindi district, residents buy six-week-old fingerling catfish from HD Hill. They transfer the fish to one of 12 storage tanks housed in a tunnel. Each tank has a 12,000 liter water capacity and space for 5,000 fish. When the catfish grow to six months of age, the Dindi people sell them back to HD Hill. Seventy-five percent of the project's profits are returned to the community in the form of educational resources, clean water and money for further economic development.
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Significance
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Amitikalu Hatchery now produces about 250,000 tropical fish per month. This was impossible before the owner consulted with Agrelek, which is Eskom's agricultural advisory service. The existing electrical resources were insufficient for the hatchery's requirements to run pumps and water heaters. Together, Agrelek and Mr. Myburgh decided which improvements were necessary to expand the operation. Now Amitikalu Hatchery sells about 150,000 tropical fish locally and 100,000 to the European Union. The hatchery also produces prawns, a local delicacy.
Types
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Eskom also assisted Catfish Supreme, a fish farm situated in the North West province. After consultation with Agrelek, an additional transformer was installed near the farm to meet the needs of water and air temperature as well as water pumps. The fish are also processed at this plant.
Effects
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Eskom has a corporate social investment program. Grants are available to develop agricultural businesses, such as aquaculture concerns. Entrepreneurs or community leaders can tap into this program for further promotion of fish farming. Criteria and applications are available on the Eskom website.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit catfish image by pearlguy from Fotolia.com tropical fish image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
