Electricity and Control February 2023

COMMENT

INDUSTRY 4.0 + IIOT

Andwe still do not have a plan to address baseload really, to address the situation. There were moments when we flew too close to the sun, and it all looked good – but the fundamental issues of old plant not being attended to are evident for all to see.

Y ou may also be moving towards the view that ‘enjoying’ 2023 could turn out to be trickier than we anticipated … I wrote this after a week of Stage 6 loadshedding – a stage that caused significant upset to the highest office in the country (as it now seems). So, let’s reflect on what is important. Firstly, we can all focus on being more energy efficient in everything we do – at work and at home. That has a role to play for sure. Secondly, we can reflect on the fact that the impact of loadshedding has been disastrous for the economy – yet much of the economy continues to run, nevertheless. Thirdly, we can begin loudly to ask for, and expect concrete plans – and action – on what to do about the situation. We all understand the problem: as a country, we missed the opportunity to expand our grid and our generation capacity when our long-term plans indicated it was necessary. Then we proceeded to expect availability of our generating plant at levels which were, simply, too ambitious. It is now patently evident that we do not even have the grid capacity to evacuate all the potential renewable energy, even if we could get the plants built. The cost to build new grid capacity will be in the billions of rand, and it takes time. And we still do not have a plan to address the baseload needs of the economy. I was in a conversation the other day where we were reflecting on this situation and, quite frankly, you could not write this stuff. The knock-on impact of the severe electricity shortage will without doubt impact on more basic needs: water purification and delivery, and on food security. What seems too incredible is that we have been in and out of this long-running loadshedding era for more than a decade – and in this time, little has been done,

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It is becoming increasingly difficult to remain patient in this regard. Where is the plan? What action is being taken? On the other side of the coin, many of those who can are simply opting to go off the grid. I fully understand that. But my worry is that these are the same people and organisations that can financially support the ailing national utility. With these entities leaving the grid (for their own survival), where will that leave the national operator? Can we fix Eskom? Yes. Of course privatisation of the plants might be first prize, but that is an impossible political ask. The next best option may also present an unpalatable political situation – but would involve the formation of public private partnerships. However, the partners to the state would certainly want assurance about staff complements and the engagement of the necessary skilled personnel. It is quite evident that we cannot fix Eskom with political interference. The next CEO will face all the same challenges that we now know well at the utility – and will need to be allowed and supported to do the job. I would be most interested in hearing feedback from you on how you are managing the situation, in your personal lives, and at your places of work. What is clear is that the longer we wait for a concrete plan, the less likely we will ever be to emerge from this crisis.

Editor: Leigh Darroll Design & Layout: Darryl James Advertising Manager: Heidi Jandrell Circulation: Karen Smith Editorial Technical Director: Ian Jandrell Publisher: Karen Grant Deputy Publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis

Audited circulation Quarter 3 (July-Sept) 2022 Total print and e-editions 13 033

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Electricity+Control is supported by

Ian Jandrell PrEng IntPE(SA), BSc(Eng) GDE PhD, FSAAE FSAIEE SMIEEE

The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, the editor, SAAEs, SAEE, CESA or the Copper Development Association Africa

FEBRUARY 2023 Electricity + Control

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