The power utility will get much less than it asked for, but the new tariffs will still bust pockets
A year ago, tensions between the government and the mining industry were high
Nersa kicked off its nationwide public hearings in Cape Town this week to deliberate on Eskom’s tariff applications
Outa says although Eskom brought about its own downfall, there were other factors, such as corruption and state capture, which worsened the situation
Over the course of three weeks, Nersa will hold hearings on what the debt-laden power utility
Here’s our round-up of the outlook for electricity, taxes, fuel, wages and the economy
The increases it wants will drive down sales and there is scepticism that the parastatal will be
able to counter this
Government believes independent power producers need to be limited and controlled
The power utility admits that its ‘transition towards financial and operational sustainability required resolute, tough and decisive leadership’
The market positivity that ushered South Africa into 2018 after the ascendance of President Cyril Ramaphosa now seems like a distant memory
The utility wants tariffs raised and wages frozen but the unions are not buying into its arguments
Nersa is holding public hearings over the next three weeks, relating to Eskom’s application for the regulatory clearing account (RCA) balance.
Nersa has told Eskom it cannot pass cost increases on to consumers. Rather, it will be expected to cut operational costs and inefficiencies
The state is dangerously exposed by the utility’s reliance on borrowing and its ‘dire’ financial position must be reversed, experts warn
Corruption claims aside, the utility needs more cash to cover for flagging sales volumes
The state’s inertia has cost the country jobs and investment, and the decision to drop what it will pay is a blow to energy producers
South Africa’s energy regulator has given Eskom the go-ahead to hike electricity prices by 9.4% for 2016-17.
Eskom needs to borrow more at higher rates to ease its funding shortfall after Nersa rejected its request for a tariff increase of as much as 25%.
The energy regulator has rejected Eskom’s application to raise its electricity prices further this year.
Both agree that South Africans simply cannot afford the proposed 25.3% increase, which would have a terrible impact on the economy and job creation.
The installation of rooftop photovoltaic panels is on the rise, but South Africa is not as solar-friendly as it could be.
The National Energy Regulator has agreed to Eskom recouping costs of R7.8bn from its previous price period, exacerbating upcoming rate increases.
Eskom has released two warnings within hours: switch off non-essential appliances or face load shedding; and prepare for another rate hike.
The utility has been forced to put new projects on hold, casting doubt over SA’s energy future.
Businesses that spend more than R400 000 on electricity and more than R80 000 on water monthly, get special treatment.
Nersa says that municipalities may buy surplus power generated by small energy suppliers without getting a licence for each one.
South Africa is a good place for more investment in the gas market, says the National Energy Regulator of South Africa.
The regulator has rejected the utility’s request to carry on paying big users to cut consumption.
South Africans will have no choice but to accept Eskom’s five-year tariff hike, says trade union Solidarity.
Eskom says its average price for electricity will need to increase by 16% every year until 2018 – and that is if everything goes right.
Eskom chief executive Brian Dames has to overcome numerous hurdles. He needs the public to save energy and municipalities to lower profit margins.
Municipal electricity consumers may become more vulnerable to increasing power charges should proposed changes be made to legislation.