Nersa to deliberate on proposed electricity tariff hike
Eskom is looking for about a 9.5 per cent increase for the 2015/16 financial year - says acting Eskom CEO.
Brian Molefe, acting CEO of Eskom, has vowed to do whatever it takes not to harm South Africa’s economy, whether or not they receive a tariff increase.
On Wednesday, Molefe was gave his closing remarks at the end of a two days of public hearing into Eskom’s 25.3 per cent electricity price hike.
Over 12 per cent has already been approved.
It has been reported that Molefe has stated that Eskom won’t be pursuing a 2.5 per cent environmental levy, “So what we’re looking for is about a 9.5 per cent increase for the 2015/16 financial year to keep the lights on,” he said.
“Load shedding costs six times more than what the company is asking for to run the open cycle gas turbines which require diesel.
“A lot of people have spoken about the 25 per cent increase and how it is not affordable, but very few people have spoken about the cost of load shedding.”
This after two days of presentations from businesses and organisations that strongly oppose the tariff hike, stating South Africans simply cannot afford it.
Molefe has encouraged the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) to consider the affordability especially for the poor when making its decision.
“Whatever happens, we are going to try and manage Eskom in a way that does not harm the South African economy,” he said in closing.
Nersa is expected to make its decision by Monday, June 29.
