THE discussion about energy and electricity is one of the most important debates in SA. Urgently tackling inequality, unemployment and poverty cannot be achieved by the redistribution of wealth alone. It can only be achieved by raising the economic growth rate — which is dependent on having the correct public policies in place and having an adequate and growing supply of affordable electricity.The first major issue raised by the Eskom CEO in this debate concerns renewables. He accurately described the fallacy and weakness of the primary renewables, wind and solar.These supply power when it is not needed and do not supply power when it is needed. As a result, they are expensive forms of energy production, yet the supply must be bought in terms of the purchase agreements at set prices.Germany sells unwanted electricity at a loss to other countries and purchases the required supply from them at a premium. These prices are in effect financial subsidies for wind and solar. Germany has ot...
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