Mbalula says ANC wants more powers for electricity minister before national election

Hanno Labuschagne

Hanno Labuschagne

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Mbalula says ANC wants more powers for electricity minister before national election

South Africa’s president will allocate more powers to his electricity czar to accelerate efforts to end the nation’s power crisis, a top governing party official said.

The proposal has the backing of the African National Congress (ANC), which is seeking faster implementation of an energy action plan before next year’s general election, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said in an interview in Johannesburg on Thursday.

[Bloomberg]
 
Oh dear...
and the irony, of calling him a czar....
Like old Russian Tsars, he will appear on coins too, later

1308-original.jpg
 
They’re hoping 6 months of less LS will make people forget the last 12 months?

Maybe they’re on to something…
 
The scenario you're describing, where a country like South Africa experiences a brief period of improved electricity supply followed by a rapid return to even worse conditions, could be attributed to a variety of factors. Here are some possibilities:
  1. Temporary Solutions: The government may have relied on temporary measures that were unsustainable in the long term. For example, importing electricity or using mobile power plants can provide immediate relief but may not be viable as permanent solutions due to cost, logistical challenges, or limited supply.
  2. Infrastructure Issues: The underlying infrastructure problems, such as aging power plants, insufficient maintenance, or lack of investment in new capacity, might not have been adequately addressed. A temporary improvement could occur if these issues were temporarily mitigated (e.g., through emergency repairs), but without long-term solutions, the problems would likely resurface.
  3. Fuel Supply Instability: If the power generation relies heavily on imported fuel (like coal, gas, or oil), fluctuations in global markets or supply chain disruptions can quickly change the situation. A temporary ease in fuel prices or improved supply conditions could lead to short-term improvements, followed by a crisis if those conditions reverse.
  4. Demand Fluctuations: Electricity demand can vary seasonally. A brief period of lower demand (e.g., due to cooler temperatures reducing the need for air conditioning) might temporarily ease load shedding, but as demand increases again, the grid might be unable to cope.
  5. Political or Economic Factors: Short-term measures might be politically motivated, especially if there are significant public or international pressures. However, without addressing the root causes, such measures are unlikely to be sustainable.
  6. Management and Operational Issues: Issues like poor management, lack of skilled workforce, or operational inefficiencies can lead to a temporary improvement if there's a short-term focus or intervention, but without systemic changes, these issues would likely lead to a relapse into crisis.
If a situation like this were to occur, it would suggest that the initial improvements were more of a stopgap or superficial measure rather than a sustainable solution to the underlying problems in the electricity generation and distribution system.
 
Priapus said:
They’re hoping 6 months of less LS will make people forget the last 12 months?

Maybe they’re on to something…
Click to expand...
This was a while ago, right after Stage 6 loadshedding eased for a couple of weeks earlier this year, and we were on Stage 1/2 again for a bit. At the time, I still followed the Eskom tweets.

I remember, the first time it went back up to Stage 4 again, someone commented on Eskom's Twitter feed something in the lines of

"I was ready to give the ANC my vote again, because it looks like they fixed Eskom, but now you'you're giving me doubts again" (Paraphrased)

People seem to forget really quick, and that person seems to still believe in the ANC as long as it stays on Stage 2. Reminds me of other people on this forum.
 
Solarion said:
The scenario you're describing, where a country like South Africa experiences a brief period of improved electricity supply followed by a rapid return to even worse conditions, could be attributed to a variety of factors. Here are some possibilities:
  1. Temporary Solutions: The government may have relied on temporary measures that were unsustainable in the long term. For example, importing electricity or using mobile power plants can provide immediate relief but may not be viable as permanent solutions due to cost, logistical challenges, or limited supply.
  2. Infrastructure Issues: The underlying infrastructure problems, such as aging power plants, insufficient maintenance, or lack of investment in new capacity, might not have been adequately addressed. A temporary improvement could occur if these issues were temporarily mitigated (e.g., through emergency repairs), but without long-term solutions, the problems would likely resurface.
  3. Fuel Supply Instability: If the power generation relies heavily on imported fuel (like coal, gas, or oil), fluctuations in global markets or supply chain disruptions can quickly change the situation. A temporary ease in fuel prices or improved supply conditions could lead to short-term improvements, followed by a crisis if those conditions reverse.
  4. Demand Fluctuations: Electricity demand can vary seasonally. A brief period of lower demand (e.g., due to cooler temperatures reducing the need for air conditioning) might temporarily ease load shedding, but as demand increases again, the grid might be unable to cope.
  5. Political or Economic Factors: Short-term measures might be politically motivated, especially if there are significant public or international pressures. However, without addressing the root causes, such measures are unlikely to be sustainable.
  6. Management and Operational Issues: Issues like poor management, lack of skilled workforce, or operational inefficiencies can lead to a temporary improvement if there's a short-term focus or intervention, but without systemic changes, these issues would likely lead to a relapse into crisis.
If a situation like this were to occur, it would suggest that the initial improvements were more of a stopgap or superficial measure rather than a sustainable solution to the underlying problems in the electricity generation and distribution system.
Click to expand...
Who was describing this scenario? Are you doing stick and paste without posting the source?
 
Grieta Thanburg said:
This was a while ago, right after Stage 6 loadshedding eased for a couple of weeks earlier this year, and we were on Stage 1/2 again for a bit. At the time, I still followed the Eskom tweets.

I remember, the first time it went back up to Stage 4 again, someone commented on Eskom's Twitter feed something in the lines of

"I was ready to give the ANC my vote again, because it looks like they fixed Eskom, but now you'you're giving me doubts again" (Paraphrased)

People seem to forget really quick, and that person seems to still believe in the ANC as long as it stays on Stage 2. Reminds me of other people on this forum.
Click to expand...

For some reason us South Africans have short memories.
 
TheChamp said:
Who was describing this scenario? Are you doing stick and paste without posting the source?
Click to expand...

The source doesn't matter. It is a standard risk analysis. I identified the worst-case scenario and assessed the possible causes. Here is a mitigation strategy:

To prevent a scenario where temporary improvements in electricity supply are followed by a return to worse conditions, the ANC government in South Africa could consider a comprehensive and sustainable approach that addresses both immediate needs and long-term challenges. Here are some strategies:
  1. Invest in Infrastructure Upgrades: Prioritize the maintenance and upgrade of existing power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks. This includes investing in new, more efficient generation capacity to replace aging infrastructure.
  2. Diversify Energy Sources: Reduce reliance on a single source of energy (like coal) by diversifying into renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. This not only ensures a more stable supply but also aligns with global trends towards cleaner energy.
  3. Improve Energy Efficiency: Implement national programs to improve energy efficiency in industries, buildings, and homes. This can reduce overall demand and strain on the grid.
  4. Strengthen Regulation and Management: Ensure that Eskom (or any state-owned enterprise responsible for electricity) is well-managed, financially stable, and transparent. This might involve restructuring the organization, improving governance, and ensuring accountability.
  5. Promote Private Sector Participation: Encourage private investment in the energy sector, including independent power producers (IPPs), to increase generation capacity and bring in new technologies and expertise.
  6. Develop a Long-term Energy Strategy: Create a comprehensive energy plan that looks several decades into the future, taking into account population growth, economic development, technological advancements, and environmental considerations.
  7. Enhance Human Capital and Skills Development: Invest in education and training programs to develop a skilled workforce capable of managing and innovating in the energy sector.
  8. Public Awareness and Engagement: Educate the public about energy conservation and involve them in decision-making processes. This can help in managing demand and gaining public support for necessary reforms.
  9. Foster Regional Cooperation: Collaborate with neighboring countries on cross-border energy projects and grids, which can provide more stability and resource sharing.
  10. Prepare for Climate Change: Incorporate climate change predictions into energy planning, ensuring that the energy infrastructure is resilient to changing weather patterns and environmental conditions.
By adopting a multifaceted approach that balances short-term fixes with long-term planning and investments, the ANC government can create a more stable and sustainable energy sector in South Africa. This would involve not just technical and infrastructural changes but also policy, regulatory, and social initiatives.
Click to expand...
 
Solarion said:
The scenario you're describing, where a country like South Africa experiences a brief period of improved electricity supply followed by a rapid return to even worse conditions, could be attributed to a variety of factors. Here are some possibilities:
  1. Temporary Solutions: The government may have relied on temporary measures that were unsustainable in the long term. For example, importing electricity or using mobile power plants can provide immediate relief but may not be viable as permanent solutions due to cost, logistical challenges, or limited supply.
  2. Infrastructure Issues: The underlying infrastructure problems, such as aging power plants, insufficient maintenance, or lack of investment in new capacity, might not have been adequately addressed. A temporary improvement could occur if these issues were temporarily mitigated (e.g., through emergency repairs), but without long-term solutions, the problems would likely resurface.
  3. Fuel Supply Instability: If the power generation relies heavily on imported fuel (like coal, gas, or oil), fluctuations in global markets or supply chain disruptions can quickly change the situation. A temporary ease in fuel prices or improved supply conditions could lead to short-term improvements, followed by a crisis if those conditions reverse.
  4. Demand Fluctuations: Electricity demand can vary seasonally. A brief period of lower demand (e.g., due to cooler temperatures reducing the need for air conditioning) might temporarily ease load shedding, but as demand increases again, the grid might be unable to cope.
  5. Political or Economic Factors: Short-term measures might be politically motivated, especially if there are significant public or international pressures. However, without addressing the root causes, such measures are unlikely to be sustainable.
  6. Management and Operational Issues: Issues like poor management, lack of skilled workforce, or operational inefficiencies can lead to a temporary improvement if there's a short-term focus or intervention, but without systemic changes, these issues would likely lead to a relapse into crisis.
If a situation like this were to occur, it would suggest that the initial improvements were more of a stopgap or superficial measure rather than a sustainable solution to the underlying problems in the electricity generation and distribution system.
Click to expand...
I have high praise for how, eventually the energy crisis is being addressed...-but clearly highlights the deficiency of this government to plan ahead....or to manage an initial crisis. Just look at the collapse of local governments, SOE .... Understand the rational on a political level for cadre deployment, and the reasons it getting us, where we are now....BUT, time for new set of fools to take the reins and see if they can do better.
 
yebocan said:
I have high praise for how, eventually the energy crisis is being addressed...-but clearly highlights the deficiency of this government to plan ahead....or to manage an initial crisis. Just look at the collapse of local governments, SOE .... Understand the rational on a political level for cadre deployment, and the reasons it getting us, where we are now....BUT, time for new set of fools to take the reins and see if they can do better.
Click to expand...
No words for "long term", "permanent" etc in ANC speak.
 
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