Eskom silent on microgrid rollout

[Daniel Puchert]

Eskom silent on major project

Eskom has gone silent on its once-ambitious microgrid rollout, which has already been scaled down significantly from its original targets in the past year.

Microgrids are small-scale containerised electricity generation and distribution systems, typically featuring a PV solar panel plant and batteries to supply a few dozen households with electricity.

 

[Tomtomtom]

This always seemed like it was the pet project of one middle manager. It makes no sense in the grand scheme of things where devolution means leaving "microgrids" to the private sector. In Eskom's hands these things will just be vandalized and stripped as soon as said manager has emigrated.

Also by definition these are expensive properties to serve, so it's regressive and out of step with political reality as well.

 

[oros]

But they don't want to serve the people but to take money and increase prices

 

[Kragkop]

1.5 million by 100 installations would be 150 million...I'm just saying!

 

[Skerminkel]

1.5 million by 100 installations would be 150 million...I'm just saying!

Mathematics on Tuesdays are overrated, apparently.

 

[Skerminkel]

“Not only may these sites be remote, but overhead power lines built in conservation areas are prone to damage by mammals and then cause an electrocution hazard to wildlife,” Eskom said.

The mammals that cause the most damage live outside national parks.

 

[Skerminkel]

This is not Eskom's business unless, like Telkom, they are required to provide services in remote locations. As far as I know they are not. Private sector suppliers can do this much more effectively than Eskom with its overpaid personnel.

 

[Flanders]

The microgrid awaiting news on the microgrid...

 

[Rickster]

They want everyone on the hype train and then just hope they forget about it.