THE HIGH PRICE OF LOAD SHEDDING
BY Zelmarie Goosen 20/4/2015
With the frequency of load shedding gaining momentum over the past few weeks, experts have called on government to find short-term solutions to stabilise the power supply.
Mike SchÜssler, chief economist at economist.co.za, said, in monetary terms South Africa was losing approximately 1% of its gross domestic product per year to load shedding. “It’s about R37 billion, according to the value-added approach. Johannesburg is hardest hit at about half of that, R18.5 million.”
He also noted load shedding’s effects on investment, with many businesses considering moving their headquarters. “They’re not thinking of South Africa … they’d rather move to Kenya or someplace else in Africa,” he said.
SchÜssler said the electricity crisis would not have been as prevalent today if more effort had been put in. “In 1998, we were warned this could happen in 2006,” he said. “We should have had an energy summit to see what could have been done, more emphasis should have been placed on solar power, things like daylight-saving could have been implemented.”
Joan Warburton-Mcbride, CEO of the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said businesses were “reeling” from the effects of extensive load shedding.
On Thursday, Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said bids from 13 independent power producers had been approved which would collectively add 1 121 megawatts to the grid. On Wednesday, Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown said load shedding would likely continue for two years.
We have put together arguably the best and most diverse team of Green experts in the country offering practicle solutions to complex problems. Can you afford to go two years without dealing with the impacts of load shedding. Follow this link and one of our consultants will contact you!
CONTACT DETAILS
ADDRESS: PO BOX 16123, PANORAMA, 7506
CAPE: 021 300 1098 BLOEMFONTEIN: 051 004 0119 DURBAN: 031 100 1164 JOHANNESBURG: 011 568 0712 PORT ELIZABETH: 041 004 0007 PRETORIA: 012 004 0239 POLOKWANE: 015 004 0199
FACSIMILE: 086 650 5033 EMERGENCY CONTACT: 082 509 3022