Comments for Shedding Light http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com A DA blog on Eskom's load shedding and other energy-related matters Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:24:16 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on From bonuses to bailouts – Eskom’s financial mismanagement by Rob Brooks http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2009/08/28/from-bonuses-to-bailouts-eskoms-financial-mismanagement/#comment-219 Rob Brooks Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:24:16 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=118#comment-219 What now!! Moroga is back and one of South Africas greatest visionaries, Bobby Godsell resigns and Barbara Hogan (once failed in the Health Ministry) just accepts the changes. Does she not realise the implications of these events but rather sticks her head in the sand and hopes that all will just go away? What now!! Moroga is back and one of South Africas greatest visionaries, Bobby Godsell resigns and Barbara Hogan (once failed in the Health Ministry) just accepts the changes. Does she not realise the implications of these events but rather sticks her head in the sand and hopes that all will just go away?

]]> Comment on About the DA’s Energy team by Cobus Schmidt http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/about/#comment-218 Cobus Schmidt Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:57:14 +0000 #comment-218 Jacques Thanks for your remark but you are not correct. For us it is a massive crisis and we will do our best to fight it. The problem is that we cannot just be negative but must give solutions. That is what we are busy with I am including a press release that almost no newspaper placed but we will find other methods to get it across. I hope this release will give you a fair idea on what we are busy with Thanks Cobus Schmidt DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Energy Press Statement The DA is seriously concerned about the proposed tariff increase application that Eskom has made to Nersa. Eskom applied for a 45% increase for each of the next 3 years or a once of 146% increase followed by more realistic 12% and 10% increases in the next 2 years. The DA believes that South Africa cannot afford this and that an alternative solution or funding structure must be found. We also believe that Eskom is not run cost effectively and that the government, as sole shareholder, must take responsibility for the mess Eskom is in. We, as the DA, will therefore send as strong a team as possible to the public hearings of Nersa. This will consist of our spokespersons of Energy, Public Enterprises, Agriculture, Economics and others. We believe that Nersa, as the national energy regulator, should and must make the right decision if all relevant information as well as alternatives are put on the table. We are therefore providing members of the public as well as any interested party with a e-mail address so that they can sent us proposals and suggestions on what they think is the correct way to go. We are also interested in information surrounding the lack of cost-effectiveness at Eskom so that we can again demonstrate to Nersa that the proposed increases are by far too high. Everyone is invited to send the information to the following address: cobus@da.fs.org.za All information will be handled confidentially and will not be used without the permission of the sender. Jacques
Thanks for your remark but you are not correct. For us it is a massive crisis and we will do our best to fight it. The problem is that we cannot just be negative but must give solutions. That is what we are busy with I am including a press release that almost no newspaper placed but we will find other methods to get it across.
I hope this release will give you a fair idea on what we are busy with

Thanks

Cobus Schmidt
DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Energy

Press Statement
The DA is seriously concerned about the proposed tariff increase application that Eskom has made to Nersa. Eskom applied for a 45% increase for each of the next 3 years or a once of 146% increase followed by more realistic 12% and 10% increases in the next 2 years.
The DA believes that South Africa cannot afford this and that an alternative solution or funding structure must be found. We also believe that Eskom is not run cost effectively and that the government, as sole shareholder, must take responsibility for the mess Eskom is in.
We, as the DA, will therefore send as strong a team as possible to the public hearings of Nersa. This will consist of our spokespersons of Energy, Public Enterprises, Agriculture, Economics and others. We believe that Nersa, as the national energy regulator, should and must make the right decision if all relevant information as well as alternatives are put on the table.
We are therefore providing members of the public as well as any interested party with a e-mail address so that they can sent us proposals and suggestions on what they think is the correct way to go. We are also interested in information surrounding the lack of cost-effectiveness at Eskom so that we can again demonstrate to Nersa that the proposed increases are by far too high.
Everyone is invited to send the information to the following address: cobus@da.fs.org.za
All information will be handled confidentially and will not be used without the permission of the sender.

]]> Comment on About the DA’s Energy team by Jacques http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/about/#comment-217 Jacques Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:04:31 +0000 #comment-217 Hi The DA has been a bit quite regarding this latest news about the severe Eskom tariff hikes. I take it this means that you don't see it as such a bad thing. Can anything be done by the public to avoid being raped by this monopoly of essential services? Hi

The DA has been a bit quite regarding this latest news about the severe Eskom tariff hikes. I take it this means that you don’t see it as such a bad thing. Can anything be done by the public to avoid being raped by this monopoly of essential services?

]]> Comment on DA MP joins cross party initiative to introduce feed in tariffs for renewables. by Paul Gray http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/da-mp-joins-cross-party-initiative-to-introduce-feed-in-tariffs-for-renewables/#comment-215 Paul Gray Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:10:46 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-215 It has never been in the interest of Eskom to pursue alternative energy, certainly in the past that has been the case. All forms of alternative energy even if produced by private entities has been discouraged because it has been seen as competition. If not, we would have by now, extensive use of solar heating in households. Houshold use of heating water accounts for a huge part (about 30%)of the daily need for electrical energy. The 5 Year Plan by the City of Cape Town though commendable, must increase and accelerate the use of solar heating. Not just by 10% for council dwellings, but ALL new dwellings by at least 30% within 5 years. Existing dwellings should be encouraged to install such units. For example, the geyser in my house is not switched on for 5 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY OVER ANOTHER 4 MONTHS. So over the five years that has been an enormous saving. Project that over a few hundred thousand houses and you have significant reductions on supplier dependency. The Gas Fired Power Station which was to be explored and developed by the Cape Town City Council in 2001, was scotched by a senior Eskom Generation Manager as being uneconomical and that they could never compete with Eskom on price per kW/h well look at the situation now! What a pity that Eskom has been protected by an Act of parliament. Not so bad in the past, but a downright disaster now. Their lack of vision and pathetic management is tiresome. Paul Gray It has never been in the interest of Eskom to pursue alternative energy, certainly in the past that has been the case. All forms of alternative energy even if produced by private entities has been discouraged because it has been seen as competition. If not, we would have by now, extensive use of solar heating in households.

Houshold use of heating water accounts for a huge part (about 30%)of the daily need for electrical energy. The 5 Year Plan by the City of Cape Town though commendable, must increase and accelerate the use of solar heating. Not just by 10% for council dwellings, but ALL new dwellings by at least 30% within 5 years. Existing dwellings should be encouraged to install such units. For example, the geyser in my house is not switched on for 5 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, AND THEN INTERMITTENTLY OVER ANOTHER 4 MONTHS. So over the five years that has been an enormous saving. Project that over a few hundred thousand houses and you have significant reductions on supplier dependency.

The Gas Fired Power Station which was to be explored and developed by the Cape Town City Council in 2001, was scotched by a senior Eskom Generation Manager as being uneconomical and that they could never compete with Eskom on price per kW/h well look at the situation now!

What a pity that Eskom has been protected by an Act of parliament. Not so bad in the past, but a downright disaster now. Their lack of vision and pathetic management is tiresome.

Paul Gray

]]> Comment on Carbon taxes could open the door for greater investment in renewable energy by MICHELLE http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2008/08/04/carbon-taxes-could-open-the-door-for-greater-investment-in-renewable-energy/#comment-212 MICHELLE Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:07:30 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=88#comment-212 <blockquote>“<em>Breaking the Eskom monopoly and introducing feed-in tariffs for renewable energy could unleash a wave of investment into clean energy,” said Morgan. “It would also allow consumers of electricity greater choice in whom to buy electricity from, giving them more options to reduce their individual carbon footprints.</em>”</blockquote> This is the most positive thing to look forward to for all South Africans... I'm grateful... We need more awareness amongst the community.

“Breaking the Eskom monopoly and introducing feed-in tariffs for renewable energy could unleash a wave of investment into clean energy,” said Morgan. “It would also allow consumers of electricity greater choice in whom to buy electricity from, giving them more options to reduce their individual carbon footprints.”

This is the most positive thing to look forward to for all South Africans… I’m grateful… We need more awareness amongst the community.

]]> Comment on DA MP joins cross party initiative to introduce feed in tariffs for renewables. by garethmorgan http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/da-mp-joins-cross-party-initiative-to-introduce-feed-in-tariffs-for-renewables/#comment-211 garethmorgan Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:28:06 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-211 Hi Jan The iniative in parliament has stalled now that NERSA has taken the lead with publishing the REFIT guidelines. The private members legislative proposal initiative did raise some awareness about REFIT and that helped. If the NERSA proposals do not fly (and there are some problems) then I will try the legislative route again. Check out <a href="http://www.nersa.org.za/NewsFull.aspx?Article=37" rel="nofollow">NERSA website</a> for more REFIT details. regards Gareth Morgan Hi Jan
The iniative in parliament has stalled now that NERSA has taken the lead with publishing the REFIT guidelines. The private members legislative proposal initiative did raise some awareness about REFIT and that helped. If the NERSA proposals do not fly (and there are some problems) then I will try the legislative route again. Check out NERSA website for more REFIT details.
regards
Gareth Morgan

]]> Comment on DA MP joins cross party initiative to introduce feed in tariffs for renewables. by Jan du Preez http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/da-mp-joins-cross-party-initiative-to-introduce-feed-in-tariffs-for-renewables/#comment-210 Jan du Preez Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:08:32 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=102#comment-210 Hi can anybody give me an update on your progress, or a link to some more info? Hi can anybody give me an update on your progress,
or a link to some more info?

]]> Comment on It’s time to diversify energy supply – give renewables a chance by ahazell http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/its-time-to-diversify-energy-supply-give-renewables-a-chance/#comment-208 ahazell Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:59:46 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=10#comment-208 Hi Jordan, It is possible, but not with the default meter box that is currently installed, which only allows for one-way traffic. However, one of the proposals in the <a href="http://www.da.org.za/docs/645/in-trust-for-the-nation.pdf" rel="nofollow">DA's policy on environment and energy</a> is to make the purchase and installation of smart meters, which measure electricity coming in and leaving a premises, subject to tax relief. Hi Jordan,

It is possible, but not with the default meter box that is currently installed, which only allows for one-way traffic. However, one of the proposals in the DA’s policy on environment and energy is to make the purchase and installation of smart meters, which measure electricity coming in and leaving a premises, subject to tax relief.

]]> Comment on DA condemns tariff hike, calls for sector reform by Philip Lloyd http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2009/06/25/da-condemns-tariff-hike-calls-for-sector-reform/#comment-206 Philip Lloyd Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:01:23 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=116#comment-206 CIC has just revealed that Eskom has failed to come to any sort of agreement on the purchase of power from Mmamabula in Botswana. The Mmamabulapower station is far advanced, and could have 1200 MW available for sale by 2013. However, Eskom says until it gets clarity on its funding, it cannot commit. This is idiotic. NERSA has just ruled on feedin tariffs for renewable energy. Whatever alse, the tariffs for Mmamabula would be significantly less than any of the renewable power, yet Eskom has been falling over itself to find the desired renewable energy. Mmamabula is another of those independent power producers that Government wishes to encourage, all of which have been cold-shouldered by Eskom. Nersa isn't doing anything to suggest a feedin tariff. And Eskom has recently announced that Medupi, the next big power station that is supposed to save us all, will be 4-6 months late. I understand that Kusile is already even later than that. Right now we have just enough power. The moment the economy picks up, we will be back in blackout land. Someone, somewhere, needs to tell Eskom that its performance will determine our ability to recover from this present economic downturn. Right now, it isn't performing, and our recovery is likely to be stalled by their - and Nersa's - incompetence. CIC has just revealed that Eskom has failed to come to any sort of agreement on the purchase of power from Mmamabula in Botswana. The Mmamabulapower station is far advanced, and could have 1200 MW available for sale by 2013. However, Eskom says until it gets clarity on its funding, it cannot commit.
This is idiotic. NERSA has just ruled on feedin tariffs for renewable energy. Whatever alse, the tariffs for Mmamabula would be significantly less than any of the renewable power, yet Eskom has been falling over itself to find the desired renewable energy. Mmamabula is another of those independent power producers that Government wishes to encourage, all of which have been cold-shouldered by Eskom. Nersa isn’t doing anything to suggest a feedin tariff. And Eskom has recently announced that Medupi, the next big power station that is supposed to save us all, will be 4-6 months late. I understand that Kusile is already even later than that.
Right now we have just enough power. The moment the economy picks up, we will be back in blackout land. Someone, somewhere, needs to tell Eskom that its performance will determine our ability to recover from this present economic downturn. Right now, it isn’t performing, and our recovery is likely to be stalled by their – and Nersa’s – incompetence.

]]> Comment on It’s time to diversify energy supply – give renewables a chance by Jordan Pickering http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/2008/01/30/its-time-to-diversify-energy-supply-give-renewables-a-chance/#comment-205 Jordan Pickering Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:35:49 +0000 http://sheddinglight.wordpress.com/?p=10#comment-205 I heard that it is / was once possible to turn your meter back by putting power back onto the grid? So in theory, if you installed solar power panels at your house that generated excess power, you could effectively get paid for putting it onto the grid. I don't know if this is true, but it seems to me that it would be a great way of encouraging private users to go solar, thus further reducing grid (and coal) demand. Even if it's not true, solar seems a useful product to incentivise, because it seems to be the one energy source that directly reduces global warming (because it's using the sun's energy, rather than generating energy, and therefore heat, from other sources). I heard that it is / was once possible to turn your meter back by putting power back onto the grid? So in theory, if you installed solar power panels at your house that generated excess power, you could effectively get paid for putting it onto the grid.

I don’t know if this is true, but it seems to me that it would be a great way of encouraging private users to go solar, thus further reducing grid (and coal) demand.

Even if it’s not true, solar seems a useful product to incentivise, because it seems to be the one energy source that directly reduces global warming (because it’s using the sun’s energy, rather than generating energy, and therefore heat, from other sources).

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