Poor Eskom. For every step it takes forward – it cha-chas and sashays 10 backwards. The power utility says the right things, albeit not always at the right time, but seldom does the right things in the larger landscape of South Africa’s energy future. We all want it, in fact we need it, to succeed in its endeavours but, more often than not, its exploits make the average South African taxpayer reach for an antacid.

The latest news to darken Eskom’s legacy is that it cannot connect renewable energy to the national grid because it has to reign-in refurbishment plans, and further, does not have the required transmission lines.

While this is disparaging news what makes it devastating is that is has already paid R4 million, at a rate of R2 million a month, for renewable energy that is available but cannot be connected. It is reported that the connections will be completed within the next 10 months resulting in a R24 million bill for “goods not received” although delivered.

Eskom spokesperson, Andrew Etzinger, has explained that is an isolated case as other projects to connect renewable energy had seen 1 600 MW connected.

During a presentation of Eskom’s Transmission Development Plan (TDP) for the next ten years last week, officials warned that connecting new projects will be challenging.

Etzinger further explained that Eskom had tried its best to connect all the renewable projects, but added it could guarantee it wouldn’t happen again.

Eskom’s official line is that it will prioritise projects in terms of reliability, customer connections, safety and legislative compliance.