THE EXPENSE OF GOING OFF GRID

WHEN I was asked to write about the barriers to energy solutions, I thought: “I must do some research. I must find the best solutions.”

Then I thought again. The best solutions are usually available for only the high-income groups in society.

For the solutions to become accessible to the lower-income brackets, we need to convince privileged politicians about the disproportionate impacts of load shedding and climate change on the poor, especially women and mothers.

This is a message for mothers.

The information on the use of solar is overwhelming and unaffordable for most South Africans.

But Eskom electricity is not cheap either. For example, mothers in Ocean View are spending 25% of their daily income on electricity. Life stops for them when there is load shedding. Their old battery-exhausted cellphones don’t last for two hours, nor can they afford either inverters or torch batteries (batteries are expensive). The essentials – light, safety, cooking fuel, and connectivity –are gone during load shedding.

My advice to the moms: find your community. I’ve been asking people what they are doing in their homes. I’ve been asking the people, since the experts offer only R150 000 “solutions” or insist that they have the perfect answer but “they are waiting for the investment environment to be more conducive”.

People have told me that they use car batteries to run their TVs. This isn’t perfect because car batteries are usually made with lead-acid battery and have fewer charging cycles if used for hours but since when did we have alternatives? When I wanted to find a UPS inverter, I went to my community. I found a Facebook post

BY CHRISTY BRAGG

from a mom’s Facebook group and got information on inverters. I bought a UPS inverter for R1 000 but it kept only the wi-fi on and one cellphone. My inverter is not up to charging my old laptop battery, but since when do we have alternatives?

I have to adapt my work to Eskom’s schedule, not my medicationschedule nor my kids’ school schedule nor my work-life balance. I wonder why so many people are feeling controlled by the government?

Someone recently told me that a retailer has solar-powered lanterns for 80 bucks, I intend to check those out too. Another retailer has candles. Another online store has LED lights).

Gas is an alternative. In 2017, I bought a second-hand gas stove from Tears hospice shop and it’s been a supper-saver. But I hesitate about promoting gas. I have seen the research – natural gas doesn’t bode well as a large-scale bridging solution for the transition from non-renewable energy to renewable energy, as it is promotes reliance on fossil fuel, will cause environmental damage in our oceans and probably increase government debt (Green Connection 2021).

There are negative economical repercussions to investing in gas pipelines and exploration infrastructure which have a 50-to60-year lifespan when the transition timeframe for gas might be only five years. Not to mention a widespread investment in gas would prolong climate change’s impacts on the poor.

What can I suggest? I am at a loss. Many have begged the politicians to hear the “small” voices. Help communities create enabling environments for community-based renewable energy access.

Women, I suggest we make our own plans. Power ourselves up. Do what it takes to help our Mother Earth and our families. We need to help one another.

*Bragg is a nationally recognised climate change leader and conservation biologist. A freelance writer, Bragg has worked for more than 15 years in the sustainable development sector, conservation, climate change adaptation and environmental management.