South African farmers threaten legal action over Eskom load reduction

[mylesillidge]

Farmers threaten legal action over Eskom power cuts

Farmers are unhappy with the damage caused to their equipment and crops from the double-blow of load reduction and load-shedding and are threatening legal action if Eskom doesn't address it.

Load reduction sees Eskom periodically cutting power in areas where illegal connections cause overload and damage infrastructure.

 

[Sapphiron]

at R200k pm, could farmers not pay to deploy their own renewable power sources on-site. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

They should also be fighting for deregulation of all renewable power generation and distribution projects.

 

[Johnatan56]

at R200k pm, could farmers not pay to deploy their own renewable power sources on-site. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

They should also be fighting for deregulation of all renewable power generation and distribution projects.

Smaller players will have issue getting the funds and space, larger players you're talking about quite a large infrastructure investment, farming is not actually that profitable.

That said, the couple of people I know who own farms all went the renewable route over the last few years, think most would be following that trend also due to the price.

 

[R13...]

Why are farmers affected by load reduction? Most farms you see are Eskom direct and shouldn't be affected by non payment of a larger area. Or are farmers not paying?

 

[McGuywer]

at R200k pm, could farmers not pay to deploy their own renewable power sources on-site. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

They should also be fighting for deregulation of all renewable power generation and distribution projects.

Smaller players will have issue getting the funds and space, larger players you're talking about quite a large infrastructure investment, farming is not actually that profitable.

That said, the couple of people I know who own farms all went the renewable route over the last few years, think most would be following that trend also due to the price.

I am sure the cost depends on their needs. R200k just for a connection is really high. I agree, they can and should consider green power.

 

[DTBA]

Why are farmers affected by load reduction? Most farms you see are Eskom direct and shouldn't be affected by non payment of a larger area. Or are farmers not paying?

I am effected and I am eskom direct client. The line that feeds us also feeds the towns they want to cut the power to. The problem is they don't have auto switches down the line. So they just turn off the line with us and all the towns on it. They don't care.. If I am late on payment for 2 months they come to the farm pull the fuses and leave with them and they will charge me 20k re-connection fee.

 

[R13...]

I am effected and I am eskom direct client. The line that feeds us also feeds the towns they want to cut the power to. The problem is they don't have auto switches down the line. So they just turn off the line with us and all the towns on it. They don't care.. If I am late on payment for 2 months they come to the farm pull the fuses and leave with them and they will charge me 20k re-connection fee.

Good case to take them to court.

 

[DTBA]

at R200k pm, could farmers not pay to deploy their own renewable power sources on-site. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

They should also be fighting for deregulation of all renewable power generation and distribution projects.

I myself want to do it, the main thing is I need to put down enough to go offgrid. The reason is even if I just go with a backup system or grid tied system, I still need to pay eskom a set amount each month to have their service available even if I don't use 1kwh.

That amount totals about 50-60% of the bill for me and that is only single phase power. The 3 phase is even more expensive

 

[Shadowchaser1]

So how many Engineers said they will help Eskom & has started work? Just asking.

 

[Lupus]

So how many Engineers said they will help Eskom & has started work? Just asking.

This has nothing to do with the engineers helping Eskom. Load reduction is done in areas with lots of illegal connections and overloaded grids.

 

[Iwojima]

So how many Engineers said they will help Eskom & has started work? Just asking.

How is an engineer going to resolve load-reduction as a result of poor municipal payment levels and tampering?

 

[Vorastra]

. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

Isn't the sale of electricity regulated?

 

[Lupus]

How is an engineer going to resolve load-reduction as a result of poor municipal payment levels and tampering?

It's not on a muncipal level, it's on Eskom direct customers that this occurs.

 

[AstroTurf]

at R200k pm, could farmers not pay to deploy their own renewable power sources on-site. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

They should also be fighting for deregulation of all renewable power generation and distribution projects.

Where I live a neighbour had this great idea that he would install a solar panel and borehole pump close to his house so that the pump could fill water tanks throughout the day.
First the panel, then shortly after (while he was waiting for a new panel to arrive) the pump was stolen.

 

[Iwojima]

It's not on a muncipal level, it's on Eskom direct customers that this occurs.

Yup, but the networks they (direct customers unfairly impacted) are supplied by may be shared by munics that are errant payers/high tamper areas.

Depending on the configuration of the network switching points it may no be possible to isolate the munic without also impacting other direct customers.

 

[RedViking]

Where I live a neighbour had this great idea that he would install a solar panel and borehole pump close to his house so that the pump could fill water tanks throughout the day.
First the panel, then shortly after (while he was waiting for a new panel to arrive) the pump was stolen.

He should maybe start with a fence.

 

[AstroTurf]

He should maybe start with a fence.

I'll send you a photo of the palisade fencing and the gate still lying in the dirt if you like.

 

[Cosmik Debris]

at R200k pm, could farmers not pay to deploy their own renewable power sources on-site. maybe even generate surpluses they can sell to their neighbors.

They should also be fighting for deregulation of all renewable power generation and distribution projects.

Are you aware of the size of the solar array required to run a farm, workshops, home and cool/cold rooms? Never mind the size of the batteries required and their cost.

 

[Cosmik Debris]

Good case to take them to court.

Yeah right. To just engage a lawyer will cost the reconnection fee or more. And then the endless delays and a big boy like Eskom playing the delaying game will rack up the costs. The only people that win at litigation are the lawyers.

 

[Cosmik Debris]

I myself want to do it, the main thing is I need to put down enough to go offgrid. The reason is even if I just go with a backup system or grid tied system, I still need to pay eskom a set amount each month to have their service available even if I don't use 1kwh.

That amount totals about 50-60% of the bill for me and that is only single phase power. The 3 phase is even more expensive

Correct. I have a farmer friend that is completely off the grid and has his own water and sewage. He has to pay an electricity available fee to Eskom because there is a pylon just outside his fence.