Already cash-strapped South Africans buckle under 12.74% electricity price hike
Engineering Executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, Dr Andrew Dickson says the impact of rising electricity prices on consumers is massive.
Powerlines, Electricity, Pylons, Pixabay
CAPE TOWN - The recent 12.74% increase in prepaid electricity prices sees South Africans facing even greater financial pressure.
The increase was approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) last year, for Eskom to charge customers more from the beginning of this month to keep the lights on.
This means households using 600 kilowatt hours (kWh) per month are probably paying R160 more for the same electricity as before.
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However, the City of Cape Town says it has reduced Eskom’s electricity increase to 11.78% for its customers.
It says lifeline customers using 600 units in a month will pay almost R114 less compared to two years ago.
Engineering executive at CBI-electric: low voltage, Dr Andrew Dickson says the impact of rising electricity prices on consumers is massive.
"For the most part firstly, it hits home in the pocket and that's what my current living expenses are going to do, and then ultimately that ripples into everything else.
"Everything within your supply chain is going to go up in cost, which means ultimately, you're paying more at the tills, you're paying more at petrol pumps. So, it just means less money at the end of the month."
Meanwhile Faud Erasmus from Delft in Cape Town said they’re already feeling the pinch.
“We buy R10 power, and we get 3 units, and from those 3 units, our fridges must run. Before 5 pm you must buy for R10 again for another 3 units.”