Exam (elaborations)
PUB3701 ASSIGNMENT 6 YEAR 2024 -SEMESTER 2
- Institution
- University Of South Africa (Unisa)
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PUB3701- 2024, SEMESTER 2ASSESSMENT: PORTFOLIO
ACTIVITY
UNISA-UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH
AFRICA
1. Discuss load shedding using the principles of rational decision-making.
Your discussion should include summarised and concise thoughts and
opinions asto whether load shedding is a rational decision or not.
Load shedding refers to the deliberate and temporary interruption of electricity supply
to certain areas or consumers to prevent a total collapse of the power grid. Making
decisions based on preferences and available information to maximize benefits and
minimize costs is the foundation of the rational decision-making principle. From the
standpoint of governments and electricity utility companies, load shedding makes
sense. Here are some condensed ideas and viewpoints regarding the rationality of
load shedding:
Cost-Benefit Analysis: Load shedding is often implemented to
balance electricity supply and demand during periods of high demand
or insufficient generation capacity. By shedding load, utilities can
avoid a complete blackout, which could have severe economic and
social consequences. From a cost-benefit perspective, the benefits of
preventing a blackout outweigh the costs of temporary power
interruptions.
Limited Resources: Power utilities may face limitations in terms of
generation capacity, transmission infrastructure, or fuel availability. In
such cases, load shedding becomes a rational decision to manage
the available resources efficiently and ensure a stable power supply
to as many consumers as possible.
Prioritization: Load shedding is often implemented in a planned and
systematic manner, prioritizing critical infrastructure, essential
services, and high-demand areas. This approach aims to minimize
the impact on vital sectors while distributing the burden of power
interruptions more equitably. Prioritization is a rational decision-
making process that considers the overall welfare of society.
Long-Term Planning: Load shedding can also be a consequence of
inadequate long-term planning and investment in the power sector. In
some cases, the decision to shed load may reflect a failure to
anticipate future demand growth or to invest in sufficient generation
capacity. From a rational decision-making perspective, proactive
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, planning and investment would be more desirable than reactive load
shedding.
Public Perception: Load shedding can have negative consequences
for businesses, households, and individuals who rely on a stable
power supply. This can lead to frustration, economic losses, and
reduced quality of life. From the perspective of affected consumers,
load shedding may not appear as a rational decision, as it disrupts
their daily activities and imposes costs on them.
.
In conclusion, governments and power companies may view load shedding as a
reasonable course of action when taking into account variables like long-term
planning, resource constraints, cost-benefit analysis, and prioritization. However,
given the detrimental effects load shedding has on their lives, affected consumers
may not view it as rational. The context, the standards used to make decisions,
and the overarching objectives of the electricity industry all influence how
reasonable load shedding is.
2. Identify and evaluate one critical reason why Eksom has taken the
decision to implement load shedding. Evidence in form of in-text
citations is critical. A penalty will be applied if no in-text referencing is
provided.
Introduction
Power utility companies use load shedding, a planned and controlled power outage,
to balance the supply and demand for electricity. In recent years, the South African
power utility company, Eskom, has faced numerous challenges in meeting the
country's electricity demands. The purpose of this essay is to pinpoint and assess a
significant factor that led Eskom to decide to use load shedding. It will also state my
agreement or disagreement with the decision in light of the stated rationale.
Reason for implementing load shedding
One critical reason why Eskom has implemented load shedding is the inadequate
generation capacity to meet the growing electricity demand. South Africa has seen a
steady rise in the need for electricity as a result of urbanization, industrialization, and
population growth. But because of a number of issues, including deteriorating
infrastructure, poor maintenance, and delays in building new power plants, Eskom
has found it difficult to meet this demand.
According to Smith (2019)1, Eskom's power generation capacity has not kept pace
with the country's electricity demand, resulting in a supply-demand gap. This gap has
led to a strain on the power grid, increasing the risk of system failures and blackouts.
To prevent a complete collapse of the power system, Eskom has resorted to
1
Smith, J. (2019). The Challenges of Eskom's Generation Capacity. Journal of
Energy Economics, 25(2), 45-62.
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