Eskom’s Dirty Little Secret: Diesel-Fueled Power Station Running Rampant
Eskom’s attempt to stave off power cuts in South Africa has led to a dirty little secret: the utility is relying heavily on diesel-fueled auxiliary turbines to keep the lights on. And it’s not just a temporary fix – these polluting power plants are running at full capacity, spewing toxic fumes into the air and lining the pockets of Eskom’s executives.
The utility’s excuses are as flimsy as the excuses they give for their lack of investment in renewable energy. “Higher-than-expected electricity demand driven by cold weather” is just a fancy way of saying they’re not doing their job. And don’t even get us started on the “plant outages” that have led to this situation. It’s like they’re intentionally sabotaging the grid to justify their reliance on dirty energy.
The Diesel Bonanza
Eskom’s diesel-fueled power plants are guzzling fuel like there’s no tomorrow. And with diesel prices through the roof, it’s no wonder they’re raking in the cash. But at what cost? The air we breathe is getting dirtier by the day, and our planet is paying the price.
The Outlook: More of the Same
Eskom’s promise of no load shedding through to the end of March 2025 is just a hollow promise. They’ll keep relying on these dirty power plants until they’re forced to do otherwise. And when that day comes, it’ll be too late. The damage will be done, and our planet will be left to suffer the consequences.
Don’t Miss: The State’s Solution to Eskom’s Power Price Hike Pain
But don’t worry, the state has a solution to Eskom’s power price hike pain. And it’s not a solution that involves investing in renewable energy or reducing our reliance on dirty power plants. No, it’s a solution that involves… well, you’ll just have to read the article to find out.