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Sol Plaatje Municipality says cheaper energy alternatives can keep electricity rates unchanged for a few years

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The Sol Plaatje Municipality in Kimberley says it is looking at cheaper energy alternatives in order to alleviate the current high electricity tariffs.

The municipality says this can help to implement a plan for the electricity rates to remain unchanged for a few years.

This comes after angry residents in Kimberley held a picket in front of the Municipal offices earlier this month, demanding that the municipality reduce tariffs or allow them to buy electricity directly from Eskom.

Boyce Makodi and David Kock are some of over 70 000 households affected. They say they still demanding to buy electricity directly from Eskom not the municipality.

“They have been working on this proposal of alternative energy sources but, we as the residents we still remain on the fact that we want to go to Eskom because Eskom does not block our electricity.”

“The effect of electricity especially on our residents, we feel it heavily. Hence the highest rate of electricity in the country, as well as them using blocking our electricity as a way of collecting revenue.”

Business says the municipality needs to set time-frames on its promises

Meanwhile, Northern Cape Chamber Of Commerce and Industry (Nocci) Chief Executive Officer, Sharon Steyn says the Sol Plaatje Municipality proposal looks good on paper, but they need to give time frames as to when they will start using alternative cheaper energy.

“With regard to cheaper energy and help alleviate electricity tariffs from the Sol Plaatje Municipality on a project or whatever the executive mayor is looking at . I think I would like to see this as extremely positive move but my question would be; When will this happen? How long will this take to happen? And is this just a talkshow?”

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