Water-guzzling coal-fired power stations are not the answer
Eskom’s challenges are similar to those of drought-stricken 1983, but renewables are so much more advanced now
Responding to SA’s first flirtation with stage 6 load-shedding, President Cyril Ramaphosa placed a great deal of blame on the ongoing failure of Medupi and Kusile “to generate sufficient electricity for the country”.
In identifying the chronic underperformance of these power stations as a significant contributing factor to the crisis, there is an underlying assumption that once they start performing optimally, Eskom’s inability to meet the country’s energy needs will recede. This assumption was echoed by Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer, who said Eskom’s focus was to get Medupi and Kusile to perform optimally...
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