Eskom’s poorly resourced grid leads to load shedding - once again.

Eskom’s poorly resourced grid leads to load shedding - once again. 

By Jack Ward, MD of Powermode

Load shedding – or as Eskom prefers “rotational load reduction” - is back with a vengeance. Those who believed Eskom and banked on a reprieve this winter have been disappointed. Despite promises, power outages are again a feature of the South African economic landscape.

The power company’s severely-constrained power system and poorly resourced grid are to blame. Undoubtedly, an independently owned and operated power grid would go some way to resolving South Africa’s electricity supply instability problems.

Nevertheless, for economic growth in SA to approach government targets, the country’s power needs will have to be addressed. A priority will have to be maintenance backlogs on national distribution grids. This also applies to municipalities that have for too long continued to milk residents for profit and neglected the maintenance – and policing - of their own electricity infrastructures which are often subject to the scourge of cable theft.

Eskom hopes to achieve its goal of a stable grid once its new Medupi power plant comes on stream by the end of the year. “It will alleviate the pressure on the power system and will also support government’s economic growth and developmental objectives,” says Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown.

Is this a realistic statement? I’ll bet my non-existent farm on Eskom falling short on its promises once again. Look at the project’s seven-year history as a measure. Sabotage, worker protests, protracted strikes and substandard workmanship are regular causes of the delays that continue to characterise the drawn-out construction phase. Don’t expect Medupi to cross the finish line before 2017 or even 2018.

Now, the latest NUMSA strike warning - with workers demanding a 15% wage hike and Eskom offering only 4.3% - seems to set the stage for yet another halt to Medupi construction work.

What’s the answer? How can individuals and businesses counter Eskom’s underdeveloped structures, rash promises and poor service delivery?  They will have to ramp up their reliance on standby power systems, with self-provisioning becoming the order of the day. The necessary budget allocations will have to be made.

With South Africa in the grip of winter and demand for electricity spiking, Eskom has asked customers to shift or reduce their loads out of peak times, at the same time calling for non-essential plant and system shutdowns. These remedies represent a very small plaster placed on a large, gaping wound.

My recommendation is, be prepared. Ensure that your emergency power solutions are serviced regularly and are ready to work for you when required.

A programme of diligent and committed planned maintenance and upkeep is worth its weight in gold. Ask Eskom; the price of maintenance backlogs and breakdowns is high.

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