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 'Nope, we won't pay more for green power'
    September 19 2008 at 07:10PM Get IOL on your
mobile at m.iol.co.za

By Fundile Majola

South Africa's electricity giant Eskom is considering using renewable energy, ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

And, to cover the costs, a new levy is expected to increase the price of electricity, partly to reduce coal-generated greenhouse gases, and partly a response to the Eskom supply crunch.

Consumers are then supposed to pay out of their own pockets.

In the face of the notorious inflation rate, IOL decided to as its readers if they are willing to pay more for this green power.

Of the readers who responded, 59 percent (142 votes) said No while 31 percent (74 votes) said Yes and the remaining 10 percent (25 votes) did not care.
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Some reader comments:

Get Real
I am all for renewables when they are finally more efficient and more cost effective. Until then we are stuck with fossil fuels and nuclear. Quite frankly, I am sick and tired of having everything green shoved down my throat. The greener-than-thou crowd has turned their religion into political power and a real cash cow. But please quit boring the rest of us with the self-righteous sacraments of everything green.

BS
Veritas at 2008-09-19 13:24:49 Thanks for the explanation adn to all the honest and faithful pollers, enjoy the weekend. It is still wet and cold in the WP cheers to all the misrables too Keep the lights burning !! bye ms/mr editor xxx

Graham F
When comparing the cost of commodities or electricity in different countries the average per capita income or how long it takes the average income earner to pay for a unit of the item is the only true way to compare costs. Using exchange rate does not give anything like a correct answer.

pastabag
Hi Mamalex. I think your facts are somewhat incorrect. In SA we pay around 80c/kWh, and in Europe it ranges from about 90c to several rands. Have a look at this old article : http://www.finfacts.com/irelandbusinessnews/publish/article_10006575.shtml

Mamalex
Veritas, formulate/compare it accordingly to the salaries.

Veri
Hillibrand at 10:58. The British PM is going to lose his job, however the cost of electricity is hardly the reason why. As for the cost of electricity in England compared to South Africa, it is more expensive, until you formulate the cost according to the exchange rate.

bully bullsh
grysie at 2008-09-19 12:26:44 You must be blond as I am :) But I think they have huge batteries where the turbine energy is stored. When the wind doesn't blow, the "static" energy from the batteries are used, Same with solar cells, the energy is stored in huge batteries. Yes then I suppose one can call it static. Maybe one of the wise guys here can enlighten us more? I mean without googling :)

grysie
Wind turbines are great when the wind blows. When we have no windy days can we use static power?

biffo Tokai
If wind turnines can be intergrated with the national grid why not??? The worst winter in years and Koeberg down most the time and no "Rolling Blachouts" makes U THINK???

andrew p
Of course I will pay more for green power, the simple reasoning being is that I will have no choice in the matter. I cannot accept for one moment that the money will be used to reduce green house gases at power stations (or anywhere) that sounds like smoke and mirror talk to me. Whatever the real facts are you can be sure someone is making money out of this. [ Edited by IOL ]


Madalex
Mamalex, you're so right. Nervosity is caused by these lights. When I anter a shop I often have to check if I'm seeing red monsters or pink elephants. PS: I am mad.
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