Government and consumers join AI in milking Eskom

It is true that by changing our behaviour towards electricity consumption, that could assist in generating more energy for Eskom… writes Godfrey Sigwela.

However, the government should consider applying certain amendments to the Act that govern the installation and use of electricity in households, businesses, schools and other properties consuming electricity.

For instance, the arrival of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the use of Data has increased the average household consumption of power. As a result, by just connecting to WiFi residents can suddenly have more than ten devices consuming electricity.

In other words, changing behaviour towards electricity consumption will not be effective by just relying on word of mouth.

Also, the views of competing billionaires over the AI business space has increased the demand for electricity.

Although, even before the arrival of AI competition, residents were trapped in traditional electricity installation methods and bad use of energy.

For example, some households are surrounded by unnecessary electricity lights with a high voltage – such as lights installed on driveway floors and on top of the fence walls.

This includes some government buildings where electricity lights are like toys left beaming day and night.

Another indirect factor which milks Eskom is the high unemployment rate. Poor RDP owners opt to sell electricity illegally to the nearby informal settlements dwellers.

That include dozens of  formal housing owners who also choose to bypass electricity connection and connect illegally. Therefore, this implies the Minister of Labour and that of Housing need to also be accountable and join the behaviour change to save electricity.

That means a new way of approving RDP applications and land is required. Not to let applicants stay in the RDP waiting list for many years.

By Godfrey Sigwela