No quick fix for Eskom crisis: expert

[rpm]

No quick fix for Eskom crisis: expert

Energy expert, Chris Yelland says that power utility, Eskom, has no single solution to its problems.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

I blame Mbeki for this predicament.

 

[ToxicBunny]

I tend to actually disagree with Chris.

There is a relatively simple "quick-fix".. spend more time disconnecting illegal connections, disconnect non-payers... and this should hopefully give you a bit of margin to then increase your maintenance cycle to acceptable levels... and also require you to burn less Diesel.

 

[Sinbad]

Yup. Also cut off billiton.

 

[LaraC]

Is Eskom’s only plan to wait for Government to fund their operation?
Don’t they have ambitious projects to get the private sector involved in generating electricity?

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Yup. Also cut off billiton.

And get sued?

 

[Sinbad]

And get sued?

Cheaper than a crash.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Yup. Also cut off billiton.

And ZimBOBwe... Bob doesn't need electricity, according to him it's just another Western concept...

 

[ToxicBunny]

And get sued?

It is unfortunately preferable to completely cutting out the country and destroying the economy.

 

[LaraC]

And get sued?

The smelters use 1310 MW and contractual provision was made for disconnection of the electrical supply.

“There is also interruptibility provisions in the contracts with which BHP Billiton fully complies. Eskom load-sheds the smelters to assist in maintaining power supply in South Africa over peak periods with no compensation for loss of production during that period,” she adds.

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/contribution-of-bhp-aluminium-smelters-to-south-african-economy-disputed-2013-07-05

 

[MrGray]

Yup. Also cut off billiton.

And lose how many jobs?

 

[Sinbad]

And lose how many jobs?

Fewer than will be lost if the grid crashes.

 

[The_Unbeliever]

Disconnect BHP Billiton rather. Lose those few jobs.

Sort Eskom out. Then BHP Billiton can be online again.

 

[Hamster]

Yup. Also cut off billiton.

So apart from being sued, job losses, union issues, "slight" stock market crash, investors getting scared, Rand possibly tumbling further and other knock-on effects...great idea.

 

[ToxicBunny]

So apart from being sued, job losses, union issues, "slight" stock market crash, investors getting scared, Rand possibly tumbling further and other knock-on effects...great idea.

Of course it is..

Its preferably to the complete collapse of our economy if the grid goes offline.

 

[Sinbad]

So apart from being sued, job losses, union issues, "slight" stock market crash, investors getting scared, Rand possibly tumbling further and other knock-on effects...great idea.

Compared to a total blackout?

 

[Hamster]

Compared to a total blackout?

Of course it is..

Its preferably to the complete collapse of our economy if the grid goes offline.

Fair enough

 

[Mortymoose]

They have had 6 years Plus for a "Quick" fix......

 

[Nod]

They have had 6 years Plus for a "Quick" fix......

Warnings since around 1998 that power will get thin around 2008(ish).
Much more than 6 years.

 

[ellyally]

Yep, cut BHP... several thousand jobs < millions of jobs and lives. I don't think people understand that no power means no anything. Basics like no water in your pipes. A bottle of water will cost thousands of rands on day one. A person can go without food, but water is not an option. We'll all be digging holes in our gardens and drinking out of the jukskei(heh, just realised how fitting the name is)