While Eskom has reverted back to a daily load shedding schedule this week, the power utility may only get a 25.3% price hike next year.<\/p>\n
In May, the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) announced that it had received Eskom\u2019s application for the re-opening of tariff negotiations for 2015-16. The state owned entity made an application to hike tariffs by 25.3%.<\/p>\n
Nersa said it would make a decision on June 29, 2015.<\/p>\n
Energy expert Chris Yelland noted at the time that Eskom already implemented approximately half of the 25% increase for which it is making an application on April 1.<\/p>\n
The 25.3% comprises 12.69%, which has already been granted, 10.1% for gas turbines and power purchasing, and a 2.51% increase for environmental tariffs.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday (8 June), Yellend said that in light of a circular by Treasury to municipalities, Eskom may withdraw its application for 25.3% electricity price increase.<\/p>\n
“We should know by week-end whether Nersa public hearings of 23 & 24 June into Eskom application for 25.3% price increase are delayed or not.”<\/p>\n
Nersa told BusinessTech that it has not yet cancelled public hearings, as reported on social media.<\/p>\n
“There is a Municipal Budget Circular for the 2015\/16 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) that says that any decision that NERSA makes after 15 May 2015 will need to be deferred to the 2016\/17 municipal financial year,” it said.<\/p>\n
It added that Eskom is considering the implication of the above to their application submitted to Nersa ‘and we hope to get clarification later this week”.<\/p>\n
Eyewitness News reported that Eskom says its application to Nersa for a price hike stands.<\/p>\n
Eskom did not respond to BusinessTech by the time of publication.<\/p>\n
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