When it comes to sustainability of electricity South Africa faces three major challenges.

The Revenue Challenge

Electricity theft and illegal connections result in a loss of revenue and therefore contribute to the increased cost of supplying electricity. This ends up taking money from the pocket of every South African citizen, whether they use electricity or not. Why? Because as a result of the increased cost of supply, Eskom customers’ businesses may have to raise their prices or let employees go.

Also, when the national grid becomes overloaded (because of all the illegal connections) unplanned electricity outages occur. This disrupts the functioning of businesses, and international and local investors become hesitant to invest in South Africa because a stable and reliable electricity supply cannot be guaranteed.

The loss of jobs, closing down of businesses, increasing of general prices and loss of investors all have a detrimental effect on the South African economy.

Energy loss prevented or recovered translates directly to the utility’s profitability. It either reduces the cost and eases demand on the system to be used by other customers, or recovers additional revenue that the utility would otherwise not have received. That is why it makes even more sense for Eskom to manage energy losses tightly now that the system demand and profitability is under strain.

The Nature Challenge
The most economic method of producing electricity in South Africa is the use of coal. This, however, poses a few problems. Burning coal emits a type of smoke into the atmosphere which contributes to global warming. Currently, all countries are trying to cut down on these emissions because they are causing devastating climate changes worldwide.

Large amounts of water are also used to generate electricity and there is a growing shortage of fresh water. The irresponsible use of electricity wastes tremendous amounts of water – something South Africa cannot afford. So, all South Africans need to reduce the amount of energy they use, contributing in this way to reduction in carbon emissions, and then reduction of the negative impact on climate change.

The Morality Challenge
An important question all South Africans have to ask themselves is: Will this nation continue to tolerate crime? Can there truly be a better life for all based on actions such as electricity theft? The question is, “What legacy is left for the generations to come?” There is no difference between criminals themselves and those who tolerate lawlessness.

It is not only those who steal electricity that are to blame, but also those who allow electricity to be stolen. By doing nothing about it, South Africans are tolerating the crime. All South Africans must therefore make a joint effort to stop electricity theft, as it is crippling every single citizen as well as the South African economy.