The possible tariff hike of 40% envisioned by Eskom should motivate Ekurhuleni to urgently become less dependent on the power utility.
Should the hike realise, it will by far be one of the hardest financial blows that residents and businesses will have to absorb in an already struggling economy.
So, it is of cardinal importance to streamline the Metro’s plans to become less dependent on Eskom.
Under the coalition government, of which the FF Plus was part, plans have been drawn up to make the Metro more self-sufficient in terms of power supply through the Zestfontein solar power project.
Upon completion, the plant will supply 90 megawatt (MW) to Ekurhuleni’s power network.
During his State of the City Address in April this year, the new ANC Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, undertook to allow independent power suppliers to use the Zestfontein project as part of the Metro’s public-private partnership initiative.
According to the Mayor, these independent power suppliers will sell power to the Metro at discounted tariffs and, thus, decrease Ekurhuleni’s dependence on the national grid by 27%.
The target is to complete the integration of the first-generation units with the Metro’s power network by January 2025, but a progress report is yet to be tabled to the Council.
The FF Plus will make submissions to NERSA on national level detailing why the tariff hike should not be approved.
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