A decision on Eskom’s proposed new electricity prices will be announced on Thursday, the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) has said.<\/p>\n
It would do so by way of a news briefing in Pretoria, Nersa said on Monday.<\/p>\n
Eskom has asked for a 16 percent increase in electricity prices in each of the next five years, which will more than double the price, taking it from 61 cents a kilowatt hour in 2012\/13, to 128 cents a kWh in 2017\/18.<\/p>\n
Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel warned against the energy tariff increase during a briefing on the National Development Plan in Cape Town on Tuesday (SUBS: Feb 19)<\/p>\n
He said rapid increases in administered prices, including energy, had to be guarded against.<\/p>\n
The National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa) agreed the proposed electricity hikes were “unacceptable”.<\/p>\n
“We welcome Minister Manuel’s firm stance on this ridiculous request by Eskom,” Numsa said in a statement on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
“We have argued strongly that these electricity tariffs will plunge our economy into a deeper crisis, and will result in massive job losses,” it said.<\/p>\n
At the same time, the Food and Allied Workers’ Union said the proposed increase would have a negative effect on farming operations.<\/p>\n
“We have argued that this proposed massive electricity hike will have a negative impact on the cost structure [not only] for manufacturers, but also for farmers,” it said.<\/p>\n
Farmers found it difficult to contain the increasing prices of energy and fuel, and therefore had no choice but to retrench workers to cut costs.<\/p>\n
Eskom: hiking tariffs is the only way<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom price hikes \u201cunavoidable\u201d: Govt<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom seeks 16% tariff hike every year for 5 years<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n