The Imperative Search for Alternative Energy Solutions
South Africans have recently been informed to brace themselves and expect another 5 years of an electricity deficit (Eskom, 2021).
Whilst the largest public electricity utility in South Africa, Eskom, continues to implement a backlog of maintenance on ageing infrastructure, one can only wonder whether the existing 4 000 MW electrical deficit will worsen or not, as the South African economy attempts to bounce back and revive itself, with additional demands such as electric vehicle charging loads being added to the grid (Eskom, 2021).
Load shedding stage 2 has been re-implemented and since reminded many, that if the South African economy is to be reactivated, positively and independently, then alternative sources need to be considered.
“The search for alternative energy solutions is greater now, than ever before” – Christo Myburgh, CEO U Systems & U Energy UK
One should ask oneself; how many new businesses could start? How many shops could remain operational? How many additional energy sales could be made? If only we had consistent energy supply.
The above statements have been mentioned and heard time and time again before, yet we continue to see conservative investments being made into the ‘conventional’ solutions.
According to Albert Einstein, insanity is best defined as doing the same thing repeatedly, over and over again, whilst expecting a different result.
Governments, philanthropists and entrepreneurs have begun to acknowledge the abundance of energy potential outside of ‘the beaten track’ as new sustainable solutions are being sought after to resolve the global energy crisis (Myburgh, 2021).
New technological inventions will be the answer and not the beaten track solutions that drive operation costs and exacerbate grid instability.