Greenpeace sends Eskom care package

Greenpeace Africa has send Eskom a care package - saying the utility is in need of some sympathy.

According to a statement from Greenpeace their gift comes in the wake of Eskom's load shedding announcement, which will leave thousands of South Africans without power.

The care package apparently includes symbols of renewable energy sources and effecient power technologies, which the organisation says will serve as a reminder to the company that solutions to the current and future power crisis exist.

"We have seen enough of coal's inability to provide electricity to citizens and to provide it at a decent price. The time is more than ripe to move toward renewable energies," said Shanaaz Nel, Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa in a statement.

"The blackouts do not come as a surprise to South Africans: Eskom has been operating on a tight supply margin with electricity being sent through a crumbling grid infrastructure. Eskom's poor decision-making combined with poor strategic directions from government is responsible for these blackouts, instead of focusing on harvesting the country's abundant renewable energy sources" said Nel.

"Decentralised electricity generation offers the opportunity to provide electricity to millions of households who live mostly in rural areas and haven't been connected to the grid despite tremendous electrification effort. And if South Africa leaves its approach behind and steers toward harvesting renewable energies, the country can expect 38 000 more direct jobs[1] than the government has foreseen in its Integrated Resource Plan for electricity (IRP)", said Nel.

"And with winter on our doorsteps, South Africans can only expect more blackouts and fewer explanations by Eskom. We can no longer afford to wait and simply listen to such unnecessary cries. Renewable energy is feasible, viable and can be rolled out now," concluded Nel.