nuclear-news

We all have dreams. Among mine is those shaping SA’s energy landscape discard their blinkers and focus on how human initiative is transforming the global power equation. Moore’s Law , which annually doubles output at the same price, is hard at work in renewable energy.

SA has been among the global leaders in promoting a much applauded renewables programme, now into its fourth bidding stage and now attracting interest from every relevant renewables player globally. But that great work could be undone by dumb decisions made in the name of “baseload”. Globally respected author and co-founder of Singularity University Peter Diamandis warned in a recent Biznews interview that SA’s proposed trillion rand nuclear power build programme was a “very, very bad idea”. As the UK’s most recent experience documented below illustrates, there is no logical reason to consider this potential millstone for SA taxpayers – outside of pouring more booty into the trough. – Alec Hogg

By Rachel Morison (Bloomberg) — Power prices in the U.K. may fall below zero during some hours before the end of the decade as intermittent renewable energy output is poised to soar, according to National Grid Plc. Negative power prices, already prevalent in markets from Germany to the Nordic region, occur when supply exceeds demand. Having to curb cheap supply from green power is a waste, Duncan Burt, the company’s head of commercial operations, said last week in an interview. To reduce bills and help balance the system, the U.K.’s biggest users should reduce consumption at times of peak demand and take advantage of periods with plenty of green power, he said.