News that Indian billionaire Gautam Adani may help fix South Africa’s power grid has people talking online. Some are supportive, others doubtful, and some are cracking jokes.
For years, South Africans have endured frequent blackouts, so this $26 billion project to overhaul the electricity network is a big deal. But Adani’s involvement has some people wondering if it’s a good idea to let foreign companies handle such important stuff. The government said this week that seven international groups are qualified to bid on upgrading the grid. Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said it’s a key step towards fixing the country’s ageing power system and ensuring the lights stay on.
One of the bidders is Adani Power’s Middle East branch, part of Gautam Adani’s Adani Group. He is a wealthy Indian businessman with interests in ports, power plants, and renewable energy. Other bidders include France’s Electricité de France and two Chinese state-owned firms.
The government calls this a technical step forward, but people are more concerned about trust, ownership, and responsibility. On social media, many are asking why foreign companies are being considered. One person from Durban, Sifiso Zondo, said it feels like they’re auctioning everything off, showing worries about selling important national assets. Others agree, saying South Africa already has the skills to do this.
But it’s not all bad. Some are cautiously hopeful because of Adani’s past projects. Sagar Singh, a South African living in India, said he’s had good experiences with Adani as an electricity provider, with reliable power and lower bills.
His comment was widely shared by people who want the blackouts to end. People from other countries in the region are joining the conversation. Oteng Phillip from Botswana mentioned another energy project, suggesting that working together could help South Africa’s power problem. The person joked that looters are already tasting the money, suggesting that people don’t really trust the energy sector after past corruption scandals.
The stakes are high. Fixing South Africa’s grid is key to transitioning to cleaner energy, phasing out old coal plants, and adding renewable energy and gas. The first stage involves building over 1,100 kilometres of new power lines to add more than 3,000 megawatts of capacity. The government has also selected some companies for its latest renewable energy plans, pushing for cleaner power alongside grid upgrades.
But for many South Africans, the details don’t matter as much as getting results. After years of blackouts that have disrupted their lives and the economy, people are desperate for reliable power but also worried about whom they can trust to deliver it. Whoever wins the bid will have to tackle not just technical problems, but also convince the public that this time, the lights will actually stay on.
