R1-billion to electrify under-serviced areas

[Jan]

R1-billion to electrify under-serviced areas

Government has set aside just under a billion Rand to electrify households in 8 municipalities.

 

[Maverick Jester]

While providing more people with basic services is always a good thing, will this not be used as a rod to beat on the backs of the rest of us that experience load-shedding? I mean, more people on the grid = more load on the grid. It's not really rocket science.

 

[Pitbull]

Ok so the power grid is under constraint, let's connect a couple more to the grid?

 

[Chris.Geerdts]

While providing more people with basic services is always a good thing, will this not be used as a rod to beat on the backs of the rest of us that experience load-shedding? I mean, more people on the grid = more load on the grid. It's not really rocket science.

It certainly comes across as a classic moment in bad timing. As you say, basic services must be delivered and it is scandalous that so many households are not yet connected. Please just make sure to plan to minimise illegal connections and non-payment.

 

[The Voice]

This is the exact reason there's loadshedding in the first place! Too many people have been added to the grid in the past twenty years - much more than the failing grid could ever support. Had they actually taken a page from the old hierarchy's book and upgraded power stations and the grid according to the exponential growth of the population, we wouldn't have this problem. Instead, it was a case of "oh look, we've taken over - let's give EVERYONE electricity at once! Viva!" But of course, like everything else, it was just assumed that the infrastructure would look after itself - roads, schools, electricity, water. "What? You mean someone actually has to plan and maintain all these things?" Added to that the South African attitude of "it's not my job", and we have a country one "human error" (read: Koeberg) away from total collapse.

Sure, go ahead and give 8 municipalities their (free!) power - the rest of us will just sit in the dark.

 

[Sinbad]

This is the exact reason there's loadshedding in the first place! Too many people have been added to the grid in the past twenty years - much more than the failing grid could ever support. Had they actually taken a page from the old hierarchy's book and upgraded power stations and the grid according to the exponential growth of the population, we wouldn't have this problem. Instead, it was a case of "oh look, we've taken over - let's give EVERYONE electricity at once! Viva!" But of course, like everything else, it was just assumed that the infrastructure would look after itself - roads, schools, electricity, water. "What? You mean someone actually has to plan and maintain all these things?" Added to that the South African attitude of "it's not my job", and we have a country one "human error" (read: Koeberg) away from total collapse.

Sure, go ahead and give 8 municipalities their (free!) power - the rest of us will just sit in the dark.

To be fair, the real reason for loadshedding is the massive amount of unplanned maintenance (ie, ****ups) at power stations.

Continuing to add to the load before this is resolved, however, is irresponsible.

 

[grok]

Great, more freeloaders who'll never pay their accounts..

 

[rrh]

“Houses not connected to the grid will be connected using solar home systems"

This might be of interest, though my guess is that initially it will be limited to a free solar geyser.

 

[Maverick Jester]

This might be of interest, though my guess is that initially it will be limited to a free solar geyser.

Most likely will only be this.

 

[Stokstert]

Elections around the corner, thus new promises to lure some more votes for the cANCer.

 

[rrh]

Elections around the corner, thus new promises to lure some more votes for the cANCer.

Definitely !

I wonder if the areas benefitting are marginal seats for the ANC ?

 

[JStrike]

While providing more people with basic services is always a good thing, will this not be used as a rod to beat on the backs of the rest of us that experience load-shedding? I mean, more people on the grid = more load on the grid. It's not really rocket science.

Sure. But those without power have the right to be connected just like the rest of us (And be load-shedded just like us).

 

[JStrike]

This is the exact reason there's loadshedding in the first place! Too many people have been added to the grid in the past twenty years - much more than the failing grid could ever support. Had they actually taken a page from the old hierarchy's book and upgraded power stations and the grid according to the exponential growth of the population, we wouldn't have this problem. Instead, it was a case of "oh look, we've taken over - let's give EVERYONE electricity at once! Viva!" But of course, like everything else, it was just assumed that the infrastructure would look after itself - roads, schools, electricity, water. "What? You mean someone actually has to plan and maintain all these things?" Added to that the South African attitude of "it's not my job", and we have a country one "human error" (read: Koeberg) away from total collapse.

Sure, go ahead and give 8 municipalities their (free!) power - the rest of us will just sit in the dark.

So you would you prefer it that the government chooses who gets connected to power, and who doesn't. Sounds familiar

 

[deweyzeph]

Sure. But those without power have the right to be connected just like the rest of us (And be load-shedded just like us).

Those without power have the right to be connected if they prepared to pay for it. You don't pay, you don't get. Simple as that. The time for handouts is over.

 

[Sinbad]

So you would you prefer it that the government chooses who gets connected to power, and who doesn't. Sounds familiar

I agree with you.
However, the government have created a monster here. We simply don't have the generation capacity to add people to the grid, through the government's failings. Therefore, the government needs to suffer the political fallout of saying "No, we can't connect you right now".

 

[JStrike]

Those without power have the right to be connected if they prepared to pay for it. You don't pay, you don't get. Simple as that. The time for handouts is over.

The article does not mention people getting electricity for free (Although many municipalities like Cape Town do give a free allotment of electricity). Why are you going on about that?

 

[JStrike]

I agree with you.
However, the government have created a monster here. We simply don't have the generation capacity to add people to the grid, through the government's failings. Therefore, the government needs to suffer the political fallout of saying "No, we can't connect you right now".

Our Constitution requires them to connect everyone. Irrespective of Eskom's issues.

 

[Maverick Jester]

Sure. But those without power have the right to be connected just like the rest of us (And be load-shedded just like us).

I didn't criticise the decision and planned implementation in enabling those without this basic service to finally have it- it's about time. I guess it's just a matter of poor timing, what with our power issues being of such huge concern.

 

[deweyzeph]

The article does not mention people getting electricity for free (Although many municipalities like Cape Town do give a free allotment of electricity). Why are you going on about that?

Of course they will get it for free. That's what happens. The grid expands into unserviced areas, people are connected to the grid, legitimately at first, then they stop paying, they get disconnected, and then the illegal connections start.

 

[Sinbad]

Our Constitution requires them to connect everyone. Irrespective of Eskom's issues.

Which clause of the constitution? Not disagreeing with you, I just want to look up the wording.