Yesterday I posted about being cock a hoop that we received our entire supply of raw materials for the first time in over 2 years. Last night we all got news we were moving from a level 4 to level 6 power supply and thought I would share our schedule. The area I live in is area number 5 and tomorrow we have 8 hours of planned interruptions.
Where we are we are not affected currently like we once were as we have had no power interruptions since the 24th December. We had one breakdown for 8 hours or so but have skipped the rest due to having someone of importance in our area. Tonight our street is like an island as there is darkness everyone beyond our road which is a stroke of luck.
The times rotate weekly so if you are lucky enough you may only be affected once as the others are whilst you are sleeping. If you are a business you may have a rough two weeks of 4 hours lost during working hours. Eventually the times will change and the daily routine will be back to the 2 hours being lost.
Manufacturing is a problem however as machines have to run for a scheduled time and this new stage level is going to impact what we can produce daily. I feel for all businesses big and small as no one is spared as the cost is there no matter what. Something has to give and the first will be to let employees go and move back to a skeleton staff mode.
A shortage anywhere between 2 and 6 GW per day is where we currently sit. Look at the deterioration and how this has escalated in 2022. 2023 has not kicked off well and the same as last year is what we have to look forward to.
I know @tarazkp mentioned they have supply in Finland, but are paying astronomical fees currently. Here the supplier has requested a 38% increase in tariffs which is kind of insane knowing the service we are receiving. The economy has shrunk by a reported 14.6% last year mainly down to load shedding as companies cannot exist long term under these conditions.
The increase is to help cover their losses which if everyone is going to suffer then so should they. Everyone I know is already at their limit financially and there is very little spare each month. How many more businesses need to close before we reach the tipping point?
2023 looks as bleak as last year as far as I am concerned for business as this will impact the supply of raw materials yet again. Receiving 100% of the first batch was down to what I presume most businesses being closed over the festive period. This is only going to speed up more and more companies being forced to close down and leaving as this is not positive at all. This cannot be fixed over night and deep down everyone knows this will take a minimum of 4 years at best if they had the funds.