City of Joburg to increase electricity tariffs

The increases will not affect the poor, the mayor said, as the municipality will continue supplying impoverished households with 100kWh of free electricity.

Addressing the media in Johannesburg on Monday, Masondo said the increase was in line with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa's (NERSA) decision to allow Eskom to levy an additional increase of 13.3% on its customers on the already approved 14.2% increase.

“It is important to note that those who consume more electricity will pay more per unit,” he said.

With regard to load-shedding, Masondo called on the city's residents and businesses to go the extra mile to conserve electricity.

In April this year, the city embarked on an extensive consultation process with the public before the council approved tariffs in May for the 2008/09 financial year.

In June, Cabinet approved a recommendation by Finance Minister Trevor Manual that municipalities should be exempted from public participation regarding the consideration of the additional Eskom tariff increase approved by Nersa on 18 June.

City Power Managing Director Silas Zimu reiterated the call for consumers to use electricity only when they need it.

He said load-shedding in the city depended on the behaviour of consumers and that customer education on electricity need to be emphasised.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews