South Africans are saying goodbye to Eskom. The power utility is experiencing declining demand for its electricity amid a months-long reprieve from load-shedding.
However, the utility has made some key changes that have improved the stability of its supply of electricity and enabled it to match demand. Since the government abandoned monopolistic control of electricity generation, households and businesses have sought independence from Eskom’s grid. Simply put, households and businesses are replacing electricity generated by Eskom with power from their own alternative sources or private providers.
However, growth has slowed dramatically in the past two quarters as many South Africans who could afford solar have already got, and the government’s tax incentives have come to an end.