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Energy regulator Nersa has been ordered by the High Court in Pretoria to publish Eskom’s tariff application for 2023/24 on or before 1 August and make a determination by 24 December.
The application is for an increase of 32.66%.
This comes against the backdrop of intense load shedding which on 28 June, " following labour unrest, escalated to Stage 6 for only the second time ever.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to address the nation soon about emergency steps to address the power crisis and get more energy onto the grid.
The system has since stabilised to some extent, with load shedding being scaled down to Stage 1 and Stage 2.
The court order follows a settlement between Eskom and Nersa after Eskom challenged Nersa’s earlier decision to reject the application for the 2022/23-2024/25 MYPD5 (multi-year price determination) because it was drafted on the bases of the methodology used for the previous tariff period (MYPD4).
The regulator on 30 June published a discussion paper on its proposed new methodology for comment and will hold a public workshop on 22 July.
The closing date for comment is 29 July.
Eskom earlier obtained an urgent order which resulted in Nersa processing the tariff application for the current financial, which is Year 1 of MYPD5. It granted Eskom an increase of 9.61%, instead of the 20.5% Eskom asked for.Eskom applied for allowable revenue from tariffs of R279 billion, but Nersa only allowed R250 billion.
