Alternatives to load-shedding a costly exercise
There are alternatives to generating power but this is not always an option.
Load-shedding is a huge inconvenience to residents and their livelihoods and businesses are also feeling the pinch.
South Africans across the country are left seeking alternatives to make their daily lives a bit more bearable.
Many businesses’ operations are affected due to power outages resulting in some coming to a halt. Be that as it may, alternatives are available in the market to make life a lot more bearable for those affected but the real question is at what cost?
Also read: How to protect your TV during load-shedding
Exploring these alternatives will result in people having to dig deeper into their pockets just to keep their lights on.
A generator retails at around R3 000 for an entry-level unit and can go up to R100 000 or even more for a more business or rather an industrial unit.
According to www.pricecheck.co.za, an Interruptible Power Supply (UPS) on the other hand can cost you anything from R5 000 to power up household items such as TV, Wi-Fi, charge laptops and cell phones among other items, and can cost you anything from R5 000. The website also indicated that a solar wind system unit can cost you anything from R10 000 depending on what one needs to power, as per their needs. These prices are bound to be different as per service from the different retailers and these are just indications.
Also read: Countrywide load-shedding hampers motor industry growth and production
These are some of the alternatives known in the market that consumers can make use of to find relief from the rolling blackouts that citizens have been subjected to.
The Herald spoke to Mohlakeng resident Shirley Mdletshe, who said although she has to go for hours without electricity, these existing alternatives are not an option.
“All of the options for load-shedding are way beyond our means. I also don’t see why I should even explore these because I buy electricity. It’s just an added burden onto my life,” said Mdletshe.
While this may be, load-shedding will continue to be a reality for many as power utility Eskom continues to struggle in sorting out its state of affairs.
