NEVA MAKGETLA: Busting the myriad electricity myths
Ending endemic theft will not immediately remedy Eskom’s faulty plants
Virtually every South African has developed a personal loathing for the electricity system over the past few weeks. That in turn has provided fertile ground for various myths: that load-shedding results entirely from Eskom breakdowns; that we should just go back to coal; that stopping corruption will end the electricity crisis.
While these myths hold some truth, they would ultimately misdirect policy. On the one hand we could do far more to mitigate the effects of Eskom’s shortcomings. On the other, durable solutions need systemic changes going beyond changed Eskom leadership and a renewed love affair with coal. ..
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