Kenny got green energy all wrong

Ihave yet to read a column so inaccurate as Andrew Kenny’s “Eskom’s green burden”. Clearly, the writer has no idea how renewable energy works or the timeframe to build such facilities, while he totally ignores the disposal of waste, the cost thereof and the long-term dangers/damage to the environment.

Kenny makes mention of photovoltaic generated power, slamming its ineffectiveness at night where power is not generated. Kenny fails to mention concentrated solar power (CSP), which has proved hugely successful in the Northern Cape and which, contrary to his column and understanding of the matter, stores power for night usage.

Photovoltaic is great for domestic use, while some shopping centres and even factories use this technology, but CSP is a close competitor.

Similarly, CSP plants can be constructed in a period of three years, depending on their size and capacity, while the kicker comes in the price. While Jacob Zuma was trying hard for nuclear plants generating 9 600MW at about R1.2 trillion (excluding kickbacks and inflation that the Russians will no doubt add to), that same money will deliver around 11 000MW.

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Mr Kenny, keep your fingers away from the qwerty until you’ve done some meaningful research. Randburg

Nick Bee,

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