Joburg announces electricity tariff hike

The price of electricity in Johannesburg will climb by seven percent, it was announced on Wednesday.

 

"In line with alleviating the burden of residents in these difficult times, the City of Johannesburg has announced a seven percent electricity tariffs increase from July 1," city spokesman Nthatisi Madingoane said.

 

The hike was approved by the city's mayoral council and the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa). The city had initially applied for a 15.4 percent increase.

 

"The Nersa approval was closer to the city's request and further neutralised tariff increases in other categories," Madingoane said.

 

"Even though the city was not granted the tariff increase it applied for... the city intends complying fully with the Nersa decision,"

 

The city's electricity company, City Power, would cushion the reduction of the cost of supplying power to residents.

 

"In line with the 2013/14 tariffs, the demand side management levy has been reduced from 2c/kWh to 1c/kWh to alleviate the burden on the customers."

 

- Sapa