[DEBATE] : Eskom's Proposed Solutions de-euphemised by the CU

[Dominic Tweedie]

Eskom's ten "Proposed Solutions"

The list of Eskom's "Proposed Solutions" was transcribed by the
Communist University from page 33 of Eskom CE Jacob Maroga's
PowerPoint presentation of 21 January 2008. The "de-euphemisations"
are the CU's. Thanks to Patrick Bond for the original Eskom 35-slide
PowerPoint PDF.


1. An official declaration of a National Energy Shortage

De-euphemisation: Everybody must agree that electricity is now a
scarce resource in South Africa.


2. Intensify Energy Efficiency campaign

De-euphemisation: Improved efficiency lowers the cost of using a
resource, which increases demand; but leadership will from now on be
obliged to pretend that this is not the case.


3. Accelerate introduction of co-generation

De-euphemisation: Privatisation, but on Eskom's terms.


4. Develop Power Rationing framework

De-euphemisation: Eskom will dictate to you, and please itself. It is
a seller's market from now on.


5. Review tariff structure to reflect economic cost

De-euphemisation: Big price rises, masked by setting different
categories of consumer against each other


6. Review load shedding protocols to minimise disruptions

De-euphemisation: As if Eskom gives a damn.


7. Improve communications during load shedding

De-euphemisation: Call centres will continue to block any access to
Eskom managers


8. Develop a clear framework for connecting new projects

De-euphemisation: Eskom is the gatekeeper now and if it decides to
supply an aluminium smelter or shopping mall instead of you, that's
just your tough luck.


9. Focused attention on new build to minimise project slippage

De-euphemisation: Eskom doesn't care whether you understand what it is
saying, or not. If it wants to be unintelligible, it will be.


10. Resolve long term funding of the build programme

De-euphemisation: Eskom wants the Finance Ministry to do as Eskom tells it.


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