Wealthy could pay more if electricity hike happens

By Sasha Forbes
17 June 2009

Wealthier consumers and companies may face an electricity price increase of more than 34 percent this year, Eskom announced today.

According to reports Eskom’s spokesperson Fanie Zulu said that he can’t promise that higher income groups would not be asked to pay more than the 34 percent hike Eskom was asking for to cover its operational costs, in the likely event that the increase was to grant the poor relief.

He also added that it happened last year when the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), referring to the cap the national regulator put on price hikes for low income consumers after granting a general tariff hike of 27 percent.

According to reports industry might also have to pay more.