Eskom wants to raise its tariff by more than 50 percent, the National Electricity Regulator of SA (Nersa) announced on Tuesday.
If granted, the increase will replace the 14,2 percent rise Eskom was allowed by Nersa in December 2007.
That increase is scheduled to come into effect from April 1.
"Eskom has applied for a revision of the price for 2008/9 from 14.2 percent to 53 percent increase [sic] or a 60 percent nominal increase," Nersa said.
It said Eskom wanted the revision because of what the utility said were its higher primary energy costs, and "accelerated demand side management" costs.
"In the light of the current electricity supply shortage and load shedding in the country, the energy regulator will give urgent attention to Eskom's application and make its decision after following due process."
Nto Rikhotso of Eskom's media desk confirmed earlier that the new application would be lodged on Tuesday afternoon but that she could not reveal the increase sought.
She said Nersa would open a public participation process once the request was lodged.
"It's their prerogative to communicate what we have submitted to them," she said.
In allowing a 14.2 percent hike last year, Nersa rejected Eskom's bid for 18.7 percent.
Eskom said at the time it needed the increase to maintain effective operations after a steep increase in coal costs and the need to finance capital expenditure.
Its managers are scheduled to receive performance bonuses of shares valued at R10-million at the end of March, 2008.
The increase - whether 142 or 53 percent - will follow a 2c/kiloWatt hour electricity levy announced last month by finance minister Trevor Manuel, and amid a new round of nationwide power cuts.
Reacting earlier to news media reports that the sought increase was 24 percent, trade union Solidarity said South Africans could not afford the increase.
It urged Nersa to reject the request.
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Last 4 Signatures:
485
Ben Ruddie Opperman
My only concern is the only people that will feel the wrath of eskom's tariff hike is the poor who has to struggle on a day to day basis to have just a little electricity to have lights in the home.
484
Puleng Morobe
that's not fair.
483
Karen Liddle
482
KERRY-LEE STEELE
481
nadia moodley
this is so scary!
480
Tarryn Hankins
479
jp cremore
478
Stuart Penning
The bottom line is that increases would harly be required if Eskom was managed profesionaly and corruption eradicated. Mis-management = more funds required = increased corruption. basic bus. practise
477
Christa Prinsloo
Waarom moet ons meer betaal as hulle nou nie eers die sisteem in stand en aan die gang kan hou nie. Hulle wil net meer geld he om te "party". Hou op vir die ander mahala krag gee. Skande op skande.
476
Reno Ioan
The economy is struggling as it is, and were are in a middle of a resection, hows does government expect the people to survive? We need to get a completely new political party to run South Africa
