Energy expert, Ted Blom, has described as preposterous the over 15% upcoming increase in electricity tariffs.
In a February 15 ruling, the High Court in Pretoria said R10 billion should be added to Eskom’s allowable revenue to be recovered from customers in the 2021/22 financial period.
That judgment followed last year’s ruling in favour of Eskom, which allows the power utility to push for a higher tariff increase than what NERSA was willing to allow.
Eskom notes and respects the order by the High Court on the tariff adjustment for FY 2021/22 pic.twitter.com/v6lLbJakTl
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) February 16, 2021
Blom says, “I think it is preposterous. NERSA didn’t even defend the application against it by Eskom. If you read the Eskom press announcement, you will see that they continue to say that Eskom is well run and well managed, which is totally ridiculous.”
“The whole of SA knows it. I am really astounded that this behaviour by NERSA is going through unchallenged and I don’t want to sound like I am a trouble maker but I think it is time for an energy revolution. We can’t carry on like this. We are going to lose more jobs, more factories and more people are going off the net and yet Eskom keeps pushing up the prices. It is a ridiculous,” explains Blom.
Eskom’s electricity price hike will kick in on April 1.
The full interview is on the audio file below:
Media Statement – The High Court of South Africa (Gauteng division) order of 16 February 2021. pic.twitter.com/j2R4yqBEyI
— NERSA_ZA (@NERSA_ZA) February 16, 2021
