Public comments for Eskom’s proposed 8.83% tariff hike for 2027 open
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) says it is of utmost importance for the public to participate in public consultations, as their input will affect electricity tariff hikes.
The Energy Regulator has called for public and stakeholder comments on Eskom’s proposed 8.83% electricity tariff structure for 2027.
Public comments are open until 2 September.
NERSA’s Head of Department for Electricity Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution, Welile Mkhize, says, “We are mandated by the PAJA, which is your Public Administrative Justice Act, to consult the public whenever decisions that will affect them – interested and affected stakeholders are to be made, so it’s very important because we do use that information in making final decisions.”
Mkhize says public input may help reduce the proposed tariff hikes, as long as submissions provide evidence of how people will be affected.
“For example, for poor households, if they can show that they are unable to afford electricity and this can have an impact, for example, on their ability to pay, which can compound the problem of municipal debt and therefore the debt that parties owe to Eskom. So those are the facts that must be brought to the table and not just that I can’t afford it so you need to state why you can’t afford it,” adds Mkhize.