SA`s power supply constraints - expected to last for the next decade - is now so well known that it cannot be considered a business continuity issue, says IBM Integrated Technology Services executive Dave Linacre.
Instead, it should be considered a foreseeable constraint on business-as-usual.
"Loss of power is becoming more of an issue," Linacre says, "and business needs to take the right steps to build up resilience."
This includes finding ways to cut power consumption, by investing in data centres with more power and heat-efficient processors, which cuts electricity consumption both in the computer room and in the adjacent air-conditioning plant.
A spin-off from this is that companies can then make do with smaller, less expensive, generators and uninterrupted power supplies to cope with load-shedding and other power interruptions.
President Thabo Mbeki`s Cabinet earlier this month ordered four government departments to collaborate to develop a comprehensive "Electricity Master Plan" (EMP) for the country. The plan will be finalised and adopted by government early next year, a Cabinet statement said.
Government says the plan, to be crafted by the departments of Minerals and Energy, Water Affairs and Forestry, Public Enterprises and of Trade and Industry, will rest on four pillars: increasing capacity and improving the reliability of the electricity infrastructure; providing reasonably priced electricity; ensuring security of supply as set out in the security of supply standards; and diversifying energy sources and meeting the renewable energy targets.
"This plan will enable the state to make the correct investment decisions to meet SA`s extensive energy requirements owing to the strengthening and growth of the economy," government spokesman Themba Maseko said.
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