South Africa Faces Worsening Power Outages

blackout – n. a period when lights are off because of an electrical power failure

outage – n. a period of time when there is no electricity in a building or area

state-operated – adj. controlled by a government

production – n. the process of making something for sale or use

transmission – n. the act or process of sending electrical signals to homes and businesses

distribution – n. the act of delivering something

monopoly – n. complete control of the entire supply of goods or of a service in a certain area or market

privatize – v. to remove (something) from government control and place it in private control or ownership

palatable – adj. pleasant or acceptable to someone

problematic – adj. difficult to understand, solve, or fix

afford – v. to be able to pay for (something)

balance sheet – n. a statement that shows the financial condition of a company at a particular time by listing the amount of money and property that the company has and the amount of money it owes

breakup – n. the separation of something into smaller parts or pieces

ideology – n. the set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party

hamstrung – v. to damage or ruin the force or effectiveness of (something or someone)

contemplate – v. to think deeply or carefully about (something)

asset – n. something that is owned by a person or company (usually plural)

diversify – v. to produce or sell more kinds of products; to increase the variety of goods or services produced or offered by (someone or something)

sector – n. an area of an economy; a part of an economy that includes certain kinds of jobs

deciding factor – n. something that causes you to make a particular decision

trump – v. to be more important than (something)

What is electric service like in your country? Is the power company operated by a private business or by the government? We want to hear from you. Tell us in the comments section.