Cape Town - South Africans will have to wait a little longer to know exactly how much extra they will pay for electricity, after the Gauteng High Court granted the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) an extension to make the final decision on Eskom’s revenue application for 2023/24.
The court ordered a decision would have to be made on or before January 12, 2023.
Nersa said: “On July 5, 2022 the high court issued an order for Nersa to make a final decision on Eskom’s revenue application for the 2023/24 financial year on or before 24 December 2022. The High Court has now extended the period to 12 January 2023.”
The Energy Regulator earlier this week said it did not consider Eskom’s MYPD5 revenue application for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
“The Electricity Subcommittee requested the submission to be referred back to enable management to provide additional information identified by the Subcommittee to enhance the submission.
The Subcommittee was granted the additional time as requested, taking into consideration the timelines determined by the Court.”
In response to the extension, Eskom said the decision to be made by Nersa will be implemented from 1 April 2023 for Eskom customers.
“The extension does not affect customers, since the implementation will be the same – whether the decision was made in December or in January.”
It said changes in conditions and environments necessitated changes in revenue requirements.
“As a result of a court order issued in July 2022, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is in the process of consulting on Eskom’s Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD) 5 revenue application for FY2024 and FY2025. In accordance with NERSA MYPD methodology, Eskom is required to provide any updates on changes in conditions and environments that impact various cost elements of the revenue requirements.
“The total revenue as applied for in June 2021 - R335bn (FY 2024) and R365bn (FY 2025) remains the same.”
Meanwhile Eskom has implemented Stage 4 load shedding “due to high demand or urgent maintenance being performed at certain power stations”.
Cape Times