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Relay Radio

Relay Radio

By: Junior le Grange
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About this listen

Relay Radio is where everyday life meets the wire—true site stories, curious glitches, and the people who keep South Africa powered. Each week we dive into the drama behind the sparks: the midnight call-outs, the braai-day legends, and the new tech sneaking into our homes—solar, storage, EVs, smart gear. It’s not a lecture; it’s a good listen with real characters, laughs, and the occasional mystery solved. Segments like Myth or Megger, Dispatches, and The Relay (your voice notes) keep it lively and local. Follow now on your favorite app and send a 30-second story—yours might make it on air.

© 2026 Relay Radio
Episodes
  • EP04 - ESKOM tariffs spike as renewable pipeline overwhelms infrastructure
    Mar 22 2026

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    South African Energy Market Update and Industry Insights
    This episode provides an in-depth look into recent developments in South Africa's energy industry, from tariff adjustments and Eskom's debt recovery efforts to renewable energy projects and grid challenges. Perfect for anyone interested in the intersection of energy policy, industry innovation, and economic impact.
    Main topics:
    Eskom's 2026-27 Tariff Increases and Regulatory Framework
    Eskom’s Debt Recovery and Municipal Debt Crisis
    Growth of Renewable Energy Projects: Solar PV Initiatives and Off-Take Agreements
    Grid Infrastructure Challenges and Regulatory Bottlenecks
    Impact of Energy Costs on Local Industry & Resources
    In this episode:
    Eskom’s approval of retail tariffs with an 8.76% increase for direct customers and 9.01% for municipalities
    How Eskom plans to recover revenue within fiscal year constraints and the implications for municipalities
    Eskom’s public consultation on municipal debt and potential power supply interruptions
    The introduction of large-scale solar projects like Anthem’s Nozi PV, including off-take arrangements with traders Discovery Green and NOA Group
    Challenges faced by the metallurgical industry due to soaring electricity costs, exemplified by Merafe Resources’ profit plunge
    The critical bottleneck posed by grid capacity and regulatory limits on renewable energy integration
    The necessity of a smarter grid with energy storage solutions to support sustainable growth
    Timestamps:
    00:00 - Welcome and episode overview of South Africa's energy sector updates
    00:32 - Eskom's 2026-27 retail tariffs approval and structural adjustment
    01:31 - Details on tariff increases for Eskom and municipalities 02:01 - Explanation of Eskom's revenue recovery within fiscal constraints 03:00 - Municipal tariff structures and changes for 2026-27 03:54 - Regulatory framework and compliance overview
    05:22 - Eskom’s public consultation on power interruptions over municipal debt
    06:10 - The municipal debt crisis and Eskom’s debt recovery strategy
    07:52 - Impact of municipal unpaid bills on electricity supply
    08:50 - Eskom’s operational stability and industry support statements
    09:46 - Industry implications: renewable sector growth and sector maturity concerns
    11:13 - Large-scale solar PV project announcements (Anthem's Nozi project)
    12:13 - Details on off-take agreements and project support funding
    13:11 - The role of traders and multi-off-taker wheeling models
    15:07 - Environmental and economic benefits of new solar projects
    16:25 - Private sector's role in decarbonization and energy sustainability
    17:35 - South Africa’s renewable capacity and grid capacity bottlenecks
    18:48 - Regulatory and infrastructural challenges ahead 20:45 - The need for expanded transmission linear infrastructure and smarter grids
    22:02 - Energy storage importance and demand management
    23:24 - Industry struggles: Merafe Resources’ profit plunge due to power costs
    26:05 - The impact of electricity tariffs and economic resilience
    27:44 - Final thoughts: community engagement, industry growth, and future outlook

    Resources & Links:
    South African Energy Regulator - NERSA
    Eskom Official Website
    Discovery Green

    Support the show

    Connect with Junior Le Grange:

    • Facebook
    • Website

    Disclaimer:

    This podcast is educational and not legal advice. Electricity can injure or kill. When in doubt, stop and consult a suitably qualified, registered person.

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    23 mins
  • EP 3 - ESKOM ENERGY crisis Resolved?
    Mar 22 2026

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    Looming electricity crisis in South Africa still not over, or is it?

    Eskom burning diesel!

    South Africa just hit 300 days without load shedding.

    #eskom #electrical #globalenergysecurity
    Let's dive deep into the latest electrical local news­ together! This episode covers the significant milestone of 300 days without extended power outages, a major achievement for ­­­­­­­­­Eskom­.

    We discuss the ongoing situation with ­­­­loadshedding­ in ­­­­­­­­RSA­ and what this means for the future, how is Eskom ensuring their part in global energy security. ⚡

    We also compare the cost of coal power VS diesel and how this relates to energy contracts from IPP's.

    Please feel free to like and subscribe if you enjoyed the video, it really helps us out.

    Follow on our socials for more of the same.

    FACEBOOK
    https://www.facebook.com/share/17HVnmSVBp/

    YOUTUBE
    https://youtube.com/@RelayRadioe452?si=Qw5G-1HTVhzQjW3m

    SPOTIFY
    https://open.spotify.com/show/1HM6NsSITiMFTgGmQ2NL5i

    INSTAGRAM
    https://www.instagram.com/relay.radio?igsh=MXVmZjh0NWdnaTE1Yg==

    Support the show

    Connect with Junior Le Grange:

    • Facebook
    • Website

    Disclaimer:

    This podcast is educational and not legal advice. Electricity can injure or kill. When in doubt, stop and consult a suitably qualified, registered person.

    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • EP 02 THE WHY
    Feb 15 2026

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    Join Junior Le Grange as he shares the human stories behind the trade of wiring—highlighting how
    pressure, integrity, and attention to detail shape not only careers but also reputations. This episode
    explores the core values that build trust and excellence in the industry.


    Key Topics
    • The significance of pressure and responsibility in trades that follow you home
    • Early lessons learned on construction sites about pressure and performance
    • The importance of attention to detail: tracing cables and quality standards
    • How integrity and standards underpin trust in the industry
    • Lessons from managing fraud and unethical practices
    • Building a reputation through consistency and refusal to cut corners
    • The parallels between youthful work and current entrepreneurial pursuits
    • The myth that everyone cuts corners—why true professionals don’t
    • The purpose of Relay Radio: educating, inspiring, and sharing human stories


    Timestamps
    • 00:00 - The human side of wiring: pressure, responsibility, and integrity
    • 00:41 - Why this trade, this show, and why now?
    • 01:20 - Early lessons from a 12-year-old working on construction sites
    • 01:49 - Understanding pressure: it shows up without asking
    • 02:18 - Pressure’s role in normalising high-stakes work
    • 02:41 - First project experience in a hospital: attention to detail matters
    • 03:11 - The importance of meeting high standards in complex projects
    • 03:40 - How meticulous wiring reflects professionalism and standards
    • 04:10 - The lesson: excellence is in the boring, unglamorous work
    • 04:48 - Integrity defined: doing the right thing even when unseen
    • 05:20 - Handling small details builds trust more than big moments
    Relay Radio - Show Notes Compiled 15 February 2026
    Relay Radio - Episode 2 - The Why - Built in the Crawl Space Page 2
    Timestamps (continued)
    • 05:50 - The importance of process, clarity, and communication
    • 06:09 - Managing fraud and industry challenges with integrity
    • 06:37 - Building a pattern of refusal to take shortcuts
    • 07:06 - Recognising recurring errors caused by rush and poor training
    • 07:40 - The parallels between early work and current business practices
    • 08:10 - The core reason for the podcast: promoting standards over shortcuts
    • 08:38 - Building reputations so strong that corners don’t tempt true professionals
    • 08:49 - The vision for Relay Radio: educate, entertain, share human stories
    • 09:17 - Closing thoughts and encouragement to join the community

    Resources & Links:

    • South African Electrical Regulations (SANS 10142)
    • Relay Method DIY versus Registered Sheet
    • Ask the Relay - Submit your questions

    Connect with Junior Le Grange:

    • Facebook
    • Website

    Note: Always prioritize safety and consult a registered professional when in doubt. Use the relay decision path as a quick guide to keep homes safe and compliant.

    Connect with Junior Le Grange:

    • Facebook
    • Website

    Disclaimer:

    This podcast is educational and not legal advice. Electricity can injure or kill. When in doubt, stop and consult a suitably qualified, registered person.

    Show More Show Less
    8 mins
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