Grid gremlins

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟭. Bracing themselves for the disruption and frustration of loadshedding, South Africans are increasingly exploring off-the-grid alternatives. Whether it’s making life and business more sustainable, citizens are entering a future set for more of the same, according to the experts. Carte Blanche investigates a cautionary tale of solutions promised but not delivered as one solar service provider banks on the desperation of his clients and seems to get away with one excuse after the next. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟭 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. For weeks, South Africa suffered crippling levels of power cuts throughout the country. In some areas, there would be no electricity for up to ten hours in a single day. But as Eskom ramped up the dreaded load shedding schedules, Cape Town kept its lights for longer. The secret, is the Steenbras Dam power plant . It acts like a massive battery that is charged up to be used when the power at peak periods , providing 180MW more power into the city’s grid. A lifeline, for the Mother City. Now as President Ramaphosa makes bold promises to resolve the country’s power crisis, the City is rapidly moving forward to add even more capacity to the grid. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟮 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Wracked by corruption, financial mismanagement and ineptitude, Eskom was looted from inside and out. Now on its knees, it’s nonetheless charging consumers more for a service that it’s failing to deliver. After weeks of relentless loadshedding – much of it at stage 6 – there are mounting threats of protests from enraged South Africans, and the president is feeling the heat. But how do we avoid a very grim energy outlook without urgent, workable solutions on the table? There are no easy answers for the national utility, but that’s unlikely to win them any sympathy among an increasingly fed-up citizenry. Carte Blanche contemplates what’s next for a powerless nation. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟲 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. Loadshedding is back on the schedule this weekend for electricity users who rely on Eskom – a strong argument in favour of becoming self-reliant. After being licenced to set up their own infrastructure, a group of farmers has successfully operated a 320 km power distribution network, dubbed Damplaas Kragbron, for more than 40 years. Now, the system is under threat as the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has launched a court battle to wrest control of the system and place it in the hands of the local – and failing – municipality. What’s driving the sudden interest in Damplaas, as what’s at stake for the farmers and their thousands of workers if SALGA wins the day?