Publication: Sapa
Issued: Cape Town
Date: 2008-03-18
Reporter: Sapa
|
Eskom Wants 53 Percent Tariff Hike |
| Publication |
Sapa
BC-POWER-4TH-LD-ESKOM
|
| Issued |
Cape Town |
| Reporter |
Sapa |
| Date |
2008-03-18
|
Eskom has applied for a 53 percent hike in tariffs *1,
the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) announced on Tuesday.
It said it received the application earlier on Tuesday.
Eskom was seeking this in place of the 14.2 percent increase it was granted in
December last year.
Eskom had said it wanted the figure revised because of "increased primary energy
costs" and "accelerated demand side management" costs.
"In the light of the current electricity supply shortage and load shedding in
the country, the energy regulator will give urgent attention to Eskom's
application and make its decision after following due process," Nersa said.
With acknowledgements to Sapa.
*1 Just a month ago the Eskom CEO was
talking about 20% increases per year for at least five years, that 149% in five
years.
53% is a giant leap in Eskom's quest.
This is to build power stations to power, inter alia Billiton and Rio Tinto
Alcan's aluminium smelters at Richard's Bay (2), Maputo and Coega (2010), as
well as other DEPP projects and our neighbouring states, all at a very
substantial discount to standard .industrial, commercial and domestic rates.
Overall it's unacceptable. It will inflame inflation and douse domestic growth.
It's a problem which makes my otherwise favourite subject, the Arms Deal, look
like small, baby potatoes.
Di's 'n skande.
There needs to be mass resignation and dismissal in the government and Eskom
with incumbents being replaced by trained, experienced, qualified and honest
individuals of whatever hue that happen to be.
A continuation of transformation, affirmative action and BEE under the
circumstances and until there is complete long term stability of the power
situation would be gross recklessness, negligence and failure of duty of care
amounting to criminal conduct.