Could residents in Cape Town and Ekurhuleni possibly sigh a breath of relief or just dig deeper in their pockets as the cities remain dependent on Eskom?
Also read: Everything you need to know about Eskom’s new tariff proposal
So far this year, South Africa has endured 91 days of load-shedding from 1 January to 29 August 2022.
It’s predicted that load-shedding will remain in the shadows with us for the next 12 months, as Eskom officials recently delivered its anticipated power system performance during a recent presentation to Parliament’s Joint Portfolio Committee on Energy and Public Enterprises & Mineral Resources.
In addition, the increasing electricity tariffs leave middle-income South African households already struggling with spiralling electricity prices that are “unsustainable” and “unconstitutional”, analysts have warned, after Eskom alluded to further looming double-digit price hikes for consumers.
However, there could possibly be some light on the gloomy situation. From next year, people living in Cape Town and Ekurhuleni could pay 30% less for electricity than other municipalities.
The two metros are furthest along in the push to get power from independent power producers (IPPs), reports Mail and Guardian.
This is against the backdrop of another Eskom tariff increase request submitted to the national energy regulator, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).
Also read:
Eskom’s loadshedding forecast sees candle lights in our near future
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