THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa has concluded public hearings into Eskom's application for a 34 percent interim tariff increase.
THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa has concluded public hearings into Eskom's application for a 34 percent interim tariff increase.
"The decision we are going to make on June 25 has to ensure that it considers all of your inputs within the constraints of the legislation and policies that guide us," panel chairperson Smunda Mokoena said when he officially closed the two days of hearings yesterday. "I ensure you that we will do that to the best of our ability."
The regulators face an arduous task as they have to weigh the written and oral submissions made and Eskom's application before making a decision.
The number of oral submissions made in opposition to the tariff hike outweighed those that approved it.
Calls for the tariff hike to be rejected were made by, among others, labour heavyweight Cosatu.
Many civil society organisations such as Earthlife Africa, the Anti-Privatisation Forum and Soweto Concerned Residents made submissions on the impact the hike would have on the poor.
During his closing remarks, Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga said the country's electricity supply was at risk and should the parastatal not receive the required increase, that risk might be increased.
Many groups failed to make their presentations yesterday. - Sapa