South Africa’s Power Crisis Forces Small Businesses To Seek Energy Alternatives
Power cuts have become a way of life in South Africa. Small businesses are forced to find alternative sources of energy. Analysts predict that most businesses will either be forced to cut jobs, or even possibly close down. The country’s electricity tariffs have gone up over 100% in the last 5 years.
Aaqib Ghouri, a shop owner says he was forced to install a generator because of regular power cuts. “When we didn’t have generator, it was a bit of chaos. People used to come in here. We didn’t have airtime or stuff like that. And they just used to walk out. Two or three times I did this and, I used to just close my business.” He says.
Earlier this week, Eskom said that the country was expecting a week long severe constraints on the power grid. The company also responded to the allegations that it is in partnership with Gimme Power CC, a company that sells electricity consumption reduction products.
“At no stage did Eskom endorse Gimme Power as a company working in partnership with Eskom, or the ‘electric buddy’ or any of Gimme Power’s products to be energy-saving.” Read part of the statement
