Eskom imports more power than it exports - and it can't just stop exporting

[Jan]

What would happen if Eskom stops exporting power

There is a common misconception that discontinuing Eskom's electricity exports to South Africa's neighbours will help resolve the country's power problems.

However, according to energy expert Chris Yelland, South Africa actually imports more electricity from its neighbours than it exports — and without them, the power situation could worsen.

 

[borro]

Good stories will be told.

 

[dualmeister]

So not only can't Eskom supply enough power themselves, but they cannot even do it with the help from other Countries.

 

[deweyzeph]

It's completely ridiculous that a country like Namibia, where the sun pretty much shines 365 days a year, has to import electricity with a population less than the City of Cape Town.

 

[The_Right_Honourable_Brit]

So not only can't Eskom make enough power themselves, but they cannot even do it with help from other Countries.

View attachment 1314712

This is actually quite common in Europe as well. I can't quite remember the details but there is a sort common European grid as well.

 

[RudderVator]

It's completely ridiculous that a country like Namibia, where the sun pretty much shines 365 days a year, has to import electricity with a population less than the City of Cape Town.

Well to be fair. They probably started doing so years and years ago.
We were probably seen as a super reliable and cheap supplier of electricity with economies of scale so why not? We had the excess capacity.

However they should really have thought to get alternatives online since.

 

[dualmeister]

Don't worry, Orania will generate some for you

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529054470658719747

 

[ConfusedR]

Don't worry, Orania will generate some for you

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529054470658719747

Maybe they will because the ANC is doing NOTHING except steal, steal and some more stealing.

 

[Agent_Smith]

Don't worry, Orania will generate some for you

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529054470658719747

I suspect the ANC will rather watch the country descend into total darkness than accept help from Orania...

 

[Agent_Smith]

It's completely ridiculous that a country like Namibia, where the sun pretty much shines 365 days a year, has to import electricity with a population less than the City of Cape Town.

Yeah! Bloody @Mortymoose and his power guzzling Spar outlet! FFS

 

[Lupus]

I've been telling people this for years, we've not exported that much for a good couple of years.

 

[Sinbad]

Yeah! Bloody @Mortymoose and his power guzzling Spar outlet! FFS

Those beer fridges...

 

[porchrat]

I imagine the only significant importing of power is from Moz while the rest is net export.

I wonder how significant the export numbers are and if we're actually exporting at peak times when there is a deficit of generating capacity (let alone excess).

(and yes I know the article is saying they don't export when there's excess but I'd like to see proof of that, this government seems more than happy to screw locals to benefit other countries like Cuba)

 

[upup]

It's completely ridiculous that a country like Namibia, where the sun pretty much shines 365 days a year, has to import electricity with a population less than the City of Cape Town.

Don't know if they export to Botswana as well, sure they can also but up solar systems there.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Don't worry, Orania will generate some for you

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529054470658719747

I wonder what is so funny about this?

Would it be funny if ANY other small town in SA did exactly the same?

Bashing Orania is sad and pathetic, while the rest of South Africa is crumbling into decay.

 

[Lupus]

I imagine the only significant importing of power is from Moz while the rest is net export.

I wonder how significant the export numbers are and if we're actually exporting at peak times when there is a deficit of generating capacity (let alone excess).

(and yes I know the article is saying they don't export when there's excess but I'd like to see proof of that, this government seems more than happy to screw locals to benefit other countries like Cuba)

Considering we import 1600MW the exports aren't much over 400, considering how little other African countries use.
I mean most of Africa combined doesn't even add up to our capacity.
Okay Egypt is way more

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

I wonder what is so funny about this?

Would it be funny if ANY other small town in SA did exactly the same?

Bashing Orania is sad and pathetic, while the rest of South Africa is crumbling into decay.

Orania should be bashed at all times for the racist pieces of **** that inhabit it.

 

[porchrat]

Considering we import 1600MW the exports aren't much over 400, considering how little other African countries use.
I mean most of Africa combined doesn't even add up to our capacity.
Okay Egypt is way more

My point is we only import from Moz. So have a deal with them to import and bugger the rest of them.

400MW can mean the difference between a loadshedding level. It could mean the difference between bringing a unit offline for more maintenance instead of pushing it to the brink.

Surely the cost to the South Afircan economy is not worth that?

 

[Lupus]

My point is we only import from Moz. So have a deal with them to import and bugger the rest of them.

400MW can mean the difference between a loadshedding level. It could mean the difference between bringing a unit offline for more maintenance instead of pushing it to the brink.

Surely the cost to the South Afircan economy is not worth that?

The difference is, that 400MW is actually paid for. The biggest users are the smelters that are using 900MW and those don't pay as much.

 

[Nerfherder]

Don't worry, Orania will generate some for you

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1529054470658719747

Solar panels are black though....

They should be building wind farms to capture all that hot air they generate.