1983 to 1993
Eskom’s seventh decade “Electricity for all” 1983 - 1993 ESCOM’s seventh decade In the early 1980s, ESCOM planners Vaal Dam to the Grootdraai Dam. The Commission, the Electricity Council was Restructuring ESCOM along business electrification process that hit full was one of its most were predicting electricity demand to emergency plan (a joint effort between responsible for policy and planning, while lines was (and still is) no simple matter. steam in 1992 when it made 145 000 grow by 7 to 8% a year. At that rate, ESCOM and the Department of Water the Management Board was responsible The answer back in the mid-1980s connections (219 000 if you include momentous. While the thanks to the nature of compounded Affairs) worked, and disaster was for running ESCOM’s “day-to-day affairs was to create “strategic business the efforts of the municipalities). In country underwent massive growth, you have to double capacity averted. In October of 1983, heavy rains on sound business principles and within units” (SBUs) and separate them 1987, Eskom had adopted a policy that political and social every decade or so. To meet the fell throughout the country and broke the guidelines, policy, and objectives into three distinct categories: cost allowed it to use price incentives to expected demand, ESCOM started the drought. determined by the council” (Symphony centres, profit centres, and profitability attract new sales. change, ESCOM itself plans on three large power stations: But still the heat remained on of Power, pg 249). centres. ESCOM’s transformation to a The policy encouraged energy- was transforming, too.
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