It’s no secret that that national power provider Eskom needs more money to keep the lights on [Among other things – Ed]. It needs so much, that it asked the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in April if it could increase the price of electricity by an eye watering 25% for the 2015/16 to 2017/18 period.

Thankfully for those of us who don’t have another 25% of our power bill in our back pockets at the end of the month, it is not a cut-and-dry process to get this hike through. Eskom actually needs approval to increase the basic price, and that decision lies with NERSA.

And that application is open to comments from the public.

“NERSA would like to encourage stakeholders and the public to actively participate in this process by submitting written comments and attending or making oral representation at the public hearing to be held from 23rd to 24th June 2015,” NERSA said in a media statement this morning.

According to this document, witten comments can be forwarded to mypd3@nersa.org.za or hand-delivered to Kulawula House, 526 Madiba Street, Arcadia, Pretoria or posted to PO Box 40343, Arcadia, 0083, Pretoria, South Africa. The closing date for the comments is the 15th June 2015 at 4pm.

Obviously the best way to engage is through constructive criticism and verifiable stories of how the rise will affect you and your businesses and any other organisations you work with.

During a meeting yesterday, NERSA announced the timeframes for processing Eskom’s request to increase the prices, and it seems that a final decision on the matter will be announced at the end of June.

Below is NERSA’s time table of the process:

Eskom is applying for the increase as it requires the cost recovery of R32.9 billion for Open-Cycle Gas Turbines (OCGTs) and another R19.9 billion for the ShortTerm Power Purchase Programme (STPPP).

[Image – CC by 2.0/Ian Britton]