Eskom said South Africa saved 1800 megawatts over the last six years. Apparently that’s enough energy to power Durban. The energy powerhouse hastened to add that this saving was due to energy efficient lighting. And not just any lights – the lights rolled out by them from 2004 to 2010.

It felt like yesterday when I braaied for five days straight because of sweeping blackouts. A classic front page headline from Die Burger – Die Eskombers –  comes to mind. It was a tough old time back in ’09. For weeks the country as a whole suffered under what was labelled “load shedding” and apart from the odd cartoon here and there we took it. As a whole.

Along comes Eskom and says the 1800 MW saved the last six years were due to their own National efficient lighting programme. Not even a mention of the load shedding. Apparently they “rolled out” 43.5 million bulbs over the last six years. I’m not sure what they mean by rolling it out. I normally roll out to the hardware store for my light bulbs.

An Eskom manager did add that the programme’s success was helped by millions of “energy-conscious and environmentally-concerned” South Africans. But we need more than that. We need compensation for ten Office episodes missed and melted ice cream; dead guppies and warm beer.

Then again, I don’t mind braaing five days straight. Bring it on, Eskom – let’s make it 5000 big ones by 2018.

[Source: IOL]