Nersa grants Eskom 9.4% electricity tariff hike

The national energy regulator has however only granted the power utility a 9.4% increase which is only applicable for the 2016/2017 period.

Eskom had asked Nersa for a 16.6% increase to recover some R22-billion in overspent money while it tried to keep the lights on last year. 

The increase will come into effect on April 1.

Also read:  Eskom's proposed tariff hike may be necessary, says expert 

Eskom's Khulu Phasiwe says they welcome the approval but had been hoping for more.

"The regulator has given us R1-billion out of R8-billion. It will make it very difficult for us going forward to continue to use diesel especially during times of emergencies. 

"We will see as to how we will deal with this matter, going forward. What we need to do in the interim is to continue with what we're doing now which is to improve the performance of our coal, fire power station," he said. 

The approval follows Nersa's public hearings  across the country where community members, business, civil and environmental organisations made submissions. 

(File photo: Gallo Images)