Eskom to Increase Tariffs to Reclaim Diesel Costs – Load Shedding
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has approved Eskom’s request to increase the price of electricity. A decision motivated by the additional costs it suffered from running diesel gas turbines to keep up with the overwhelming demand for power.
95% of the electricity that Eskom generates goes to South Africa. Unsurprisingly, Eskom is really feeling the heat these days as it struggles to meet a daily demand of almost 30 000 megawatts.
On 4 February 2015, Eskom cut a devastating 2000 megawatts to repair the technical faults weakening its generating capacity. These glitches were responsible for the frequent load shedding that started in March 2014.
The 12.69% tariff increase that Nersa approved in November will come into effect in April, but Eskom has now requested a further increase, as it claims this does not cover their R225 billion funding deficit.
Moreover, Eskom is currently battling to pay off the debt it racked up, owing to the construction of new power stations.
On Wednesday 4 February, Eskom announced that, on account of a generation shortage, rolling blackouts would be extended.
