So - heres the deal. We have insufficient energy capacity to maintain growth. Blackouts were averted last year due to the recession slowing business demand. Medupi was started over 3 years ago, with the planning long before that. Billions have been pumped into it already. The World Bank loan is critical to its completion and to maintain cheap base load power - we're hanging on by a thread. Upside...other funders gain confidence to lend the balance required for the rest of the build program, and we grimly hang onto a slender lifeline, saving energy where possible and hope we can create the capacity to exceed demand. I hug trees and smell fresh breeze, but wind and solar aint gonna cut it for the short term massive power needed now. Nuclears probably a turnaround time of 10 years, plus the true cost has yet to be worked out. Down side...fossil fuel burning and carbon footprints, Hitachi billions to the ANC - but heres your stark choice - no power next year or complete Medupi. I've got no worries with conditional loans and forensic auditing, but don't give me reactionary bleeding heart greenies with underfloor heating who weren't here 5 years ago - too late boet! Best case scenario is to lobby for cleaner emissions -
But I'll hold hands with you for a greener way forward - the Medupi horse has already bolted.
(Typed on an organic computer powered by dung methane...)
Deon
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