linkagy

[windrider_09]

A new definition of: "Having panties in a twist". Of course, not nearly as dangerous as using a potato as a weapon.

On a more serious note, the question has been asked: "In what context do we have the cheapest electricity in the world?"  And are we really that cheap if we primarily use coal and not cleaner energy sources with the countries being

Comments

[claidheamhmor]

The problem with the damn Eskom bonuses was that the management met their objectives. Unfortunately, their objectives included things like safety, BEE targets, etc., and not power generation. Stupid, huh?

As for the costs - I believe that Eskom's PR is being very disingenous, since they compare our power costs with industrialised countries, forgetting to mention that many other "developing" nations (like Venezuala) have cheaper power.

[windrider_09]

I think it was very cunning of them, but they forgot about the vision and the mission statements of Eskom itself which was to provide electricity to the nation(I cannot recollect the exact wording offhand) , so on this basis I think they should at the very least get reduced bonuses for not aligning their strategic objectives with the vision of the company. Not that those fatcats would bother checking the facts that are not in their favour.

This is why I liked that article so much, the analyst called them out on that 'manipulation'. Actually, I also loved the fact that even though nations like Canada are more expensive on electricity prices, they are so due to using more eco-friendly fuels and nt coal. Coal supply is another Eskom blunder entirely.

[claidheamhmor]

Oh yeah, the coal supply thing is ridiculous. I believe part of that was because Eskom started using small coal suppliers (like a guy and his truck), and those ones simply couldn't deliver the goods on a consistent basis.

[windrider_09]

And they let their bigger contracts expire and now, when the coal prices are at one of their peaks and they really need the coal....well, that is a certain part of the proposed electricity hikes to cover for that blunder.

[openmindedmale]

Aliens'll find us anyway, if they're inclined to. Earth shines very brightly in the radio-wave spectrum (and planets don't, so a sign of a technological civilization), and we have all this atmospheric oxygen. Oxygen won't stay free like this unless it's being continually regenerated (another sign of life).

[windrider_09]

Well, I have n problems of aliens finding us, as long as they are not hostile:)

[openmindedmale]

Heh, that is the key, isn't it?

If they are messing around earth airspace and the solar system already, then that goes to show you that we're just not important enough to be hostile.. which isn't a bad thing either :)

[windrider_09]

What was it that Hobbes said? The surest sign of alien intelligence is that they had not contacted us yet