EDITOR – I would like to express my heartfelt joy to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for rejecting Eskom’s proposed 16 per cent annual tariff hike for electricity on Monday, 29 June.
Eskom had applied for a 16 per cent increase in electricity prices in each of the next five years. This was more than double the current price, taking it from 61c/kWh in 2012/13 to 128c/kWh in 2017/18.
Nersa gave Eskom an annual eight per cent tariff increase
NERSA’s rejection came as good news for most South Africans as the proposed increase was met with criticism from political parties, unions, civil society, businesses and South Africans in general.
I do not understand why Eskom had to increase electricity by 16 per cent when we are faced with load shedding, not to mention unemployment. We live in very tough times and people are already struggling.
I think Eskom should sort out their problems first before proposing such a huge increase in electricity.
Grateful
New Germany
