Eskom to work with NERSA on electricity pricing - Ramokgopa
Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the department will be working closely with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa on pricing.
The minister's remarks come amid anger over the City of Johannesburg’s decision to implement a R200 monthly surcharge on pre-paid from the beginning of July.
The recurring fee is on top of the 12.72% tariff increase that also went into effect this month.
City Power said the surcharge includes an R70 service charge and R130 for network capacity charges.
Briefing the media on Monday, Ramokgopa said the department will work with Nersa on the pricing structure framework.
"We will find a framework that protects the interests of the poor so that we do not deny them access to electricity. We must also protect the interests of the affluent because we cannot allow the pricing structure to become unaffordable over time, as this will undermine the growth of the South African economy."
-LOAD-REDUCTION-
South Africans have not experienced any load-shedding for the past four months.
However, some municipalities have had to implement load reduction due to a strain on the energy system.
Ramokgopa said the poor are going to be the most affected by load reduction.
He said load reduction will introduce energy inequality in the country.
"So, it’s the poor who are bearing the brunt of this, and it is going to introduce a situation of energy inequality in our country.”
Ramokgopa said they are working towards resolving the matter.
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