In the opinion pages today, while we come up with alternatives to solving our electricity woes, Eskom still finds it within themselves to come up with ways to punish us. The force majeure declared by Sasol over the weekend, when it closed its Natref refinery, is starting to cause some worry.
Why does Eskom want to punish people for saving power? – The Citizen (for subscribers)
Load shedding has become part of our everyday lives as we check the schedule daily to see what stage we’re on and how we should go about our day, shifting errands, meetings and household chores to avoid power cuts.
The fortunate can wean themselves off Eskom electricity reliance and install solar power units and battery packs, which means they use less of Eskom’s unreliable electricity supply while also saving a bit of money.
That’s the good part. The bad part is that if you want to install a costly solar power solution, Eskom will charge you even more for not using its electricity under a proposed new tariff system. Read more here.
EDITORIAL: No need to worry about fuel supply but … – Business Day (for subscribers)
Ordinarily, it would not cause much alarm if the country’s fourth largest oil refinery announced a force majeure, declaring it will not be able to deliver on its commitments to some of its clients this month because of a crude oil feedstock delay.
But when it is the only refinery currently operational in the country, it poses a different prospect altogether.
And even while Sasol was quick to assure the public that fuel stations would not see their pumps run dry because of the force majeure, there is rightly some anxiety in the air. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading today:
Does South Africa really need a second Eskom? The answer is blowing in the wind (and basking in the sun) – Daily Maverick
Do the obvious: fix Eskom because a new SOE will not work – The Citizen (for subscribers)
OPINION | Bouwer van Niekerk: Eskom needs more than just the government’s help – News24
The money ties that bind the ANC – are they the barrier to fixing South Africa’s energy woes? – Daily Maverick
EDITORIAL | It’s a sad state of affairs when the public steps up to fix SA’s problems – TimesLIVE Premium (for subscribers)
TOM EATON: Last rounds, comrades, and a double Eskom on the rocks for me – Business Day (for subscribers)
WILLIAM GUMEDE | Taverns, schools, roads, offices, you name it — blood spills everywhere in SA – TimesLIVE Premium (for subscribers)
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
