Eskom has been given permission to have ”commercially sensitive” information on its proposed 53% tariff increase withheld from publication, the National Electricity Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) said on Monday.
”It is information that Eskom feels is commercially sensitive — just a paragraph here and there that needs to be taken out,” said Nersa spokesperson Charles Hlebela.
The entire tariff application was to have been posted on the Nersa website for public comment and subsequent hearings.
Instead, the amended version will be posted on the Nersa website on Tuesday afternoon, he said.
Eskom could not comment immediately on the reasons for the application, but trade union Solidarity accused the power utility of lack of transparency in making the confidentiality application.
Solidarity said that last week it applied in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act for the disclosure of the confidential report, but it was rejected after Eskom argued that the report will be published on the Nersa website.
”If the full report is not published tomorrow [Tuesday], we shall ask for reasons before weighing further legal remedies,” said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.
”Eskom’s lack of transparency is clear from its request, but the public is entitled to the full motivation for the high increase,” he said.
An audit report, commissioned by Solidarity, of the application, will be published in early May, Kleynhans said.
Meanwhile, Nersa will make its decision on proposed power price increases on June 6, it said in a statement.
Nersa in December granted Eskom permission to increase tariffs by 14,2%, but Eskom asked this to be increased to 53% as it scrambles to boost capacity.
Eskom plans to spend R343-billion over the next five years to increase its generating capacity, and hopes higher tariffs will cover some of the costs.
The company has been struggling to meet the demands of Africa’s largest economy and has resorted to rolling blackouts to cut demand since the beginning of the year.
The government has supported Eskom’s proposed price hike. Public Enterprise Minister Alec Erwin has said Eskom’s ability to raise capital could be undermined if it is not allowed to increase tariffs.
But the central bank has warned big increases will add pressure to already high inflation.
Nersa said it will invite public comment on the proposal from April 8, and will hold a public hearing on May 23. — Sapa, Reuters