ESKOM reportedly not only wants the country to pay two-thirds more for its electricity from 1 April, but is demanding that consumers be forced to make back-payments if it does not get permission for the tariff increase immediately, SAPA reports. The news agency says that Eskom has argued in a confidential submission to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) that tariffs will have to soar to cover the rising costs of coal and of additional fuel. It is also hoped that the raised tariffs will encourage consumers to curtail their electricity use. (Peoples Post 25/3/08)
