Go to slide 8 -
http://www.slideshare.net/lecordeur1/20150115-ce-system-status-presentation-final ---- I am still puzzled that Eskom decided from 2008 to "turn down maintenance" to avoid further load-shedding - no idea how this works.
I can only relate in IT terms - I would have two redundant servers, and each would have enough capacity to carry full load so that I can take one off-line for maintenance. If as part of my scalability monitoring I notice that a utilisation threshold is reached, I would bring in a 3rd or 4th server and then slowly phase out the old equipment as it would be more expensive to maintain. I am ignorant to how power stations work and what maintenance they require, but I would think that the principle is still the same.
His "broken car" metaphor is also bull****, since I as a car-owner know very well that I have certain maintenance intervals where I need to change oil, tires, brake-pads and failing to do so is negligent and will result in a catastrophe. So he is saying that the whole board of directors and executives knowingly refused to adhere to standard risk- & governance procedures (and I would think running nuclear power stations and gas turbines have stricter regulations than maintaining a car), thus jeopardising the countries economy for years to come.
To be honest, the whole board and C-level staff should be fired and an international task team should come in to salvage this situation. Unfortunately, the ANC is biased in this and would look after their own pockets first. I am stunned that no oversight committee or industry body or other political party picked up on this. I am also stunned that no member of the board (who have the responsibility to do so), raised this issue.
