The electricity conspiracy

dlk001 said:
They are scared to "think". I don't understand why because they only need to get various experts (including myadsl forumites) to think for them, report back to government for them to make a decision.
Click to expand...

Probably because they see it as safer to do nothing than risk making the wrong decision, even though doing nothing's a decision in itself and definitely not a good one.
 
Syndyre said:
I suppose the same logic that applies to oil and other minerals applies to coal, as the reserves get less it becomes more and more expensive to mine what's left. Combine that with rising global coal prices and it makes you wonder if it'll be considered the cheap option for much longer, especially if you eventually have to factor in the price of carbon credits.
Click to expand...

Precisely. What ever happens, we going to pay more to burn that coal. But as you've said, "Consumers would rather pay for a consistent electricity supply than cheap load-shedding crap"
 
bekdik said:
During the generator bolt episode, the second generator's refueling was delayed by 3 or so months. One wonders why in the current crisis maintenance wasn't delayed. To me this doesn't make sense, so I can only conclude that not all the information has been made public.
Click to expand...

Some possibilities - all pretty much scary in one or other way:

1) The fuel was depleted in order to run the plant as long as possible
2) The fuel was depleted to a greater extent by running the plant over capacity (is this possible?)
3) The plant is, and might well have been, damaged or off-line for longer than we know.

And, of course, they took it down because they had planned it so, and then the freak rainstorms in Gauteng wet the coal. Afterall, when last has Gauteng had rains in summer? :rolleyes:
 
Syndyre said:
Probably because they see it as safer to do nothing than risk making the wrong decision, even though doing nothing's a decision in itself and definitely not a good one.
Click to expand...

Exactly - one always makes a decision. Some are passive some are active - but a decision is made.
 
Syndyre said:
Probably because they see it as safer to do nothing than risk making the wrong decision, even though doing nothing's a decision in itself and definitely not a good one.
Click to expand...

That's what happens when a Department is run by politicians. They seat around the table and discuss the date for the next meeting.
 
dlk001 said:
Precisely. What ever happens, we going to pay more to burn that coal. But as you've said, "Consumers would rather pay for a consistent electricity supply than cheap load-shedding crap"
Click to expand...

Yeah, I just hope we don't pay for expensive load-shedding crap. :D
 
dlk001 said:
That's what happens when a Department is run by politicians. They seat around the table and discuss the date for the next meeting.
Click to expand...

And plan the Christmas party and the next conference in Mauritius. ;)
 
Just to throw in another equation - the gold and platinum prices lifted up a bit.

Is this an underhanded tactic to let the gold and plat value rise before selling off some stock at a profit?
 
halicon said:
i was thinking last night about the suddenness of these load shedding experiences. It wasn't something that crept in. It was like BAM!

Now i am not sure how many of you know how MUCH power a mine uses, but i was told by someone who has worked in such environment that even those HUGE motors that carry lifts up and down a mindshaft use a vast amounts of power. Not sure of the figure, hence it makes sense that Eskom cut power to these mines.

However, looking at www.poweralert.co.za you get a great idea of how much power the country is pulling and i find it odd that even with these mines shutdown on friday (as they were reported to be) there was still a lot of power consumption yesterday.

Leads me to believe several thoughts:

1 - The power crisis is bigger and badder then Eskom and Government have reported
2 - Eskom have almost lost control of the situation if they are prepared to shutdown one of our most important industries
3 - The suddenness, and surprise power cuts with little to no real explanation is going to do one thing, make a complacent society of this country question current leadership.

Lets face it we are all angry. And i am throwing a theory into this forum. Zuma gets elected ANC president, power struggle within the ANC (pun intended), country faces the worst power crisis in it's history, ALL eyes are on government. It is a rife breeding ground for revolution.

Is the ANC being targeted (which is kinda of cool). If so by whom and why?

Would appreciate some thoughts and oppinions
Click to expand...


Using the power thang to get the ANC out is not a bad idea. :o i think :eek:
However, i think someone is seriously screwing with the country. It's a matter of time before we all find out.
 
halicon said:
Does anyone know where one could find a breakdown of electricity usage of our country.

I have heard that residential electricity usuage takes up only 12% of our electricity. Would be nice to see a document or website that can shed some light on our usage (heh - xcuse the pun).
Click to expand...

Mining used 32 421 GWh in 2007 or 14.86% of Eskom's total sales. Industry used a further 59 823 GWh (27.43%), Commercial users 7 842 GWh (3.6%), Agricultural users 4 732 GWh (2.17%), Traction users 3 069 GWh (1.4%), International users 13 589 GWh (6.23%), Residential users 9 736 GWh (4.46%) and Redistributors 86 908 GWh (39.84%).

Residential users only took 4.46% but this figure would only be the residential customers that Eskom supplies directly. Eskom supplies many more indirectly through its redistributors (municipalities). It is difficult to breakdown the redistributors sales because they supply to residential, commercial and industrial customers. 44% of City Power's sales were to residential customers. If we were to use this figure as a benchmark for all municipalities then we could assume that the residential customers of municipalities account for 17.53% of Eskom's total supply. Add to that the 4.46% that Eskom supplies directly to to residents and we have a figure of about 22%.
 
If you have time, read this report on the Dept. of mineral energy site. Took me the whole day (100 pages - but big writing) - but I learned a heck of a lot.

www.dme.gov.za (look under reports and find the 2002 report to government - VERY interesting!!)


Points Like they (Eskom) have a contract with the mines which states that since they get cheap power, if there is a shortage, they can cut it off. So Eskom included the mine's power cut off clause in emergency situations in their 15% reserve planning - 7 % of the reserve of 15% it made up!! (madness, as that should be disaster management only) and have acted on the clause now...

Whether it is because of the mine's coal usage (which they want to strangle to ensure supply to Eskom at cost or below - they have been very vocal about the coal quality and according to carte blance, they pay a pittance and refuse to increase this payment), or whether it is a vendetta against Tokyo who helped Zuma's campaign, or just because mining is not seen as a growing industry in SA (the report says so), or whether it is because alot of the mines now have overseas shareholders which the government resents), (they still contribute 7% to our GDP, 30% to exports and 25% to forex - not that the ANC even understand that or they would explain it to Mugabe)

They have now acted on the clause in the contract and cut the mines power due to "supposed demand excess"!! You decide which one of the reasons they chose...

I hope the mines sue their asses off when they prove there was no demand excess but just a power play with the coal suppliers so they could ensure that they maintain/increase their margins and guarantee those huge bonuses - what the hell, the mines can afford it !! Forget about the staff they will lay off due to lost profits... the ANC only ever cared about their chosen few!
 
3G4me said:
If you have time, read this report on the Dept. of mineral energy site. Took me the whole day (100 pages - but big writing) - but I learned a heck of a lot.

www.dme.gov.za (look under reports and find the 2002 report to government - VERY interesting!!)


Points Like they (Eskom) have a contract with the mines which states that since they get cheap power, if there is a shortage, they can cut it off. So Eskom included the mine's power cut off clause in emergency situations in their 15% reserve planning - 7 % of the reserve of 15% it made up!! (madness, as that should be disaster management only) and have acted on the clause now...

Whether it is because of the mine's coal usage (which they want to strangle to ensure supply to Eskom at cost or below - they have been very vocal about the coal quality and according to carte blance, they pay a pittance and refuse to increase this payment), or whether it is a vendetta against Tokyo who helped Zuma's campaign, or just because mining is not seen as a growing industry in SA (the report says so), or whether it is because alot of the mines now have overseas shareholders which the government resents), (they still contribute 7% to our GDP, 30% to exports and 25% to forex - not that the ANC even understand that or they would explain it to Mugabe)

They have now acted on the clause in the contract and cut the mines power due to "supposed demand excess"!! You decide which one of the reasons they chose...

I hope the mines sue their asses off when they prove there was no demand excess but just a power play with the coal suppliers so they could ensure that they maintain/increase their margins and guarantee those huge bonuses - what the hell, the mines can afford it !! Forget about the staff they will lay off due to lost profits... the ANC only ever cared about their chosen few!
Click to expand...

Is that the one titled Energy Outlook for SA, 2002?
 
yes this was intentional, how does one become president and ignore facts like those supplied by eskom? but what were thabo's true intentions?
 
zʇɐɔbuı1ıǝɔ said:
yes this was intentional, how does one become president and ignore facts like those supplied by eskom? but what were thabo's true intentions?
Click to expand...

I doubt it was intentional in the way you and me think of that term.
It was plain incompetence.

The "man" has no ability to produce a rational, coherent thought, and no interest in serving the country. If one looks over his presidency, one can clearly see that he should have been kicked out years ago.

HIV/AIDS, crime is a "perception", Mugabe hobnobbing, protection of criminals within his sphere, protection of useless ministers....

The "man"* is useless.



*You may be wondering as to the quotes around "man". He is not a "man" in the poetic sense - he has no spine, and no hero-qualities whatsoever.
He is a chicken - and a lying deceitful, ignorant one.
 
mmm...But was it not Mandela that chose him? If this IS the case, never judge a book by its cover my friend :(
I dont know why, but with all honesty, i dont trust the Mandy chap...he just acts too innocent...
 
Last edited:
Robin Hood said:
mmm...But was it not Mandela that chose him? If this IS the case, never judge a book by its cover my friend :(
I dont know why, but with all honesty, i dont trust the Mandy chap...he just acts too innocent...
Click to expand...

I doubt Mandela chose Thabo. Madiba endorsed a decision for Thabo to succeed him. Govan Mbeki, his father was very influential person, very close to Tambo and Sisulu.

Good people who work behind the scenes don't necessary make good leaders. Its certainly the case with Thabo and I doubt the people who endorsed him would have known that he would turn into the person he is.

Maybe, his father, Govan, is lying there disappointed!
 
Last edited:
dlk001 said:
I doubt Mandela chose Thabo. Madiba endorsed a decision for Thabo to succeed him. Govan Mbeki, his father was very influential person, very close to Tambo and Sisulu.

Good people who work behind the scenes don't necessary make good leaders. Its certainly the case with Thabo and I doubt the people who endorsed him would have known that he would turn into the person he is.

Maybe, his father, Govan, is lying there disappointed!
Click to expand...

Maybe its thabo's new plan to generate electricity:
http://www.flubu.com/comics/Dilbert.915.g.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X