NERSA wraps up Eskom Durban public hearings
Public hearings into Eskom's application to increase the cost of electricity have come to an end in Durban and the power producer got wrapped on the knuckles by national energy regulator, NERSA.
Various organisations and business sectors had their say on the application at the Durban ICC on Thursday and Friday. Eskom wants to increase tariffs by 15 percent over three years.
The parastatal argued that a lack on investment, ongoing repairs and a weak economy have led it to this point. However, NERSA was less than impressed with the argument presented by Eskom.
Chairperson Nomfundo Maseti says the utility cannot continue with a careless approach hits consumers in their pockets.
"We would like to see an economic analysis from Eskom on price sensitivity adjusting the cost of electricity downward due to higher tariffs", she said.
"It cannot be that Eskom keeps penalising consumers by means of charging higher prices even when consumers use less electricity, yet they still pay more for it", Maseti said.