Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said that the authorities have scheduled several meetings this Thursday and Friday to propose solutions to the energy crisis that has been dragging on for several months.
At a press conference, Magwenya explained that Ramaphosa «deeply regrets» the situation after Eskom drastically reduced its electricity capacity due to many factors, including its facilities, which are obsolete and still run on coal.
«The president recognizes the frustration of households, parents and pupils who have started the school year facing power cuts,» he has indicated, adding further that «the devastation to small businesses and the adverse impact on the economy remain severe,» as reported by the ‘Sowetan’ newspaper.
In the midst of the energy crisis, the energy regulator Nersa on Thursday gave the ‘green light’ to an 18.65 percent increase in the electricity tariff for the years 2023 and 2024, as announced by its chairman, Thembani Bukula.
The announcement follows several delays by Nersa, which was expected to make its final decision in November last year on Eskom’s request to raise prices by 32 percent. The company cited, among other reasons, a fuel hike and financial sustainability issues.
In the end, Bukula has argued for an 18.65 percent increase in order to achieve a «balance» for both Eskom and customers, as well as the impact it may have on the South African economy, as reported by ‘The Star’.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
