One Week Of Normality Over

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In South Africa we have 48000 MW connected to the National Grid, but as a maximum output can only distribute 24000 MW (50%) due to the rest being broken as a result of no maintenance for years. This is a regular concurring theme amongst African countries as they tend to not worry about maintenance until it needs fixing and we all know that is already too late.

Today the Gods were not kind as the load shedding started up again for our area after skipping us for the last 7 days. Leading a normal life without having to worry about whether you have enough fuel for the generator is rather blissful.

The latest info I can find is the country has is that South Africa is running on a 46% Energy Availability Factor. I wouldn't take these figures seriously as it is more of a guide as we know how Governments like to sugar coat the stats. If that is sugar coated I don't really want to know how bad reality is then. If one considers the country requires around 70% plus EAF to not have to turn things off in order to function.

South Africa has been shopping around for any additions it can help to add to the grid and have purchased a second hand 15 year old coal power generator from the Netherlands. The good news is that will add 800 MW to the grid and will be available in mid 2024. We are talking years here not months of fixing this problem.

The so called Minister of Electricity (no jokes) explained they are on track to reduce load shedding by 2025. Personally I don't see it as the entire problem is self inflicted by corruption and greed which has been to sabotage the grid in order to make money from lucrative repair contracts/tenders. Chop off the head of the snake and the problems are solved very quickly.

In layman's terms as it is hard to calculate what each load shedding stage relates to so we can understand.

Stage 1 is meant to reduce power supply by 1000 MW and equates to 1 million kettles being turned off. This is anywhere between 1 and 2 hours for certain areas being cut off. Stage 8 is 8000 MW and is 4 hours lost every 8 hours so 4 hours on and 4 hours off continuously. The 8 million kettles doesn't ring true as we are talking about huge areas with no electricity not only residential as it is also including industrial.

Currently I am in the process of getting exact pricing (13KW Solar) to go off the grid entirely as it is not money lost as if you sell it is added value. I have no long term thinking of staying here and why I have been reluctant to push the button. There is no long term future of staying her in my thinking but I have no choice right now as I am still hunting for what is next.

The only thing I can control right now is growing my crypto bags and why it has taken on even more importance than it would have normally. A blessing in disguise really as this is only going to benefit in the future when mass adoption takes place. Business is a joke right now and is more like a charity as very few companies have any money due to survival mode being in place for the last 3-4 years.

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4 comments
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I hope that sooner or later technology will solve such problems. There are many new solutions, like Solar Squared for example.

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It is not just that as this is all about sabotage and corruption. The country wouldn't be in this position if it wasn't for theft.

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Yes, I understand, but I think that a lot will change in these matters thanks to the development of technology. There will be fewer opportunities for corruption.

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I'm very sure that there will be a solution to this in a few years from now
Technology is going there...

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