Ratepayers received the least amount of electricity in 2023, Parliment told
Despite receiving the least amount of electricity, ratepayers will not be exempt from Eskom’s 12.74% tariff increase approved by the country’s energy regulator for 2024/25.
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CAPE TOWN - It has come to light that ratepayers received the least amount of electricity in 2023 since the introduction of load shedding, more than 16 years ago.
However, it won't prevent consumers from having to pay more for power again in 2024.
Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan delivered to Parliament documents related to the 12.74% tariff increase approved by the National Energy Regulator (NERSA) for 2024/25.
He asked for it to be considered by Parliament by mid-March to give municipalities enough time to adjust their tariffs.
If municipalities need to pay more for bulk electricity from Eskom, inevitably so does the consumer.
Eskom’s direct customers will start paying a new 12.74% increase from 1 April.
Now, Gordhan has written to National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, asking that the new tariff be tabled in Parliament by 15 March.
This is to allow municipalities enough time to factor in price hikes in their budgets for the new financial year, which starts on 1 July.
By law, the new tariff charged by Eskom to municipalities must be tabled in Parliament before it can be implemented.
While municipalities are at liberty to make their adjustments to the price of electricity, the NERSA-approved increase is expected to push the cost for the lowest usage category to over R2 per unit.