Energy summit brings good news to South Africans

Delegates attending the energy summit

Eskom won't be getting the once-off massive price hike it was hoping for. Today, delegates at the energy summit held in Sandton said any increase that Eskom wants, will have to happen gradually, over 5-years. They also agreed that more sensitivity would be shown to the poor, as prices were increased.

This summit was the first opportunity for South Africans from all walks of life to come together, and grapple with the energy crisis. It resolved that; a tariff increase - still to be agreed upon - be phased in over five years to minimise its impact; Eskom should revise its application to energy regulatory body, Nersa to effect the gradual increases; government should pump more money into Eskom to maintain its financial health and credit rating, and that Eskom and municipalities protect the poor from the impact of increases.

The summit has appointed high-powered individuals like the ANC's Gwede Mantashe, Cosatu's Zwelinzima Vavi, the SACP's Blade Nzimande and Public Enterprises Minister Alec Erwin to meet urgently and agree on the appropriate tariff increase to be spread over five years.

Nersa will be briefed on the summit's outcomes on Tuesday. Members of the public will have a chance to air their opinions at Nersa’s public hearings next Friday.