Eskom heads to court to fight for higher electricity tariffs

Eskom is approaching the courts in an effort to force energy regulator Nersa to reconsider electricity tariffs for the next three financial years.

The move comes after Nersa published the reasons for decisions for its MYPD4 revenue decision and the regulatory clearing account (RCA) balance decision for the 2018 financial year.

Nersa’s MYPD4 decision made on 7 March 2019 in terms of which tariff increases of 9.41%, 8.1% and 5.22% were allowed for the next three years to 2022, left Eskom with a shortfall of approximately R102-billion compared to what was applied for.

In a statement issued on Friday, Eskom said the key reason for this shortfall was Nersa’s decision to offset the envisaged government support or R23-billion/year against the return on assets.

“This resulted in the return on assets in the decision being approximately negative 1% for each of the financial years,” said the power utility.

“This is very far below a reasonable return and worsens Eskom’s financial sustainability. The Electricity Regulation Act requires Nersa to set revenues such that it would be reflective of prudent and efficient costs, including a reasonable return on capital.”

Set aside

Government’s electricity pricing policy allowed Nersa until 2013 to ensure that Eskom’s revenues and tariffs reached that level.

This was however not yet achieved six years later by the end of the 2019 financial year and Nersa’s MYPD4 revenue decision is worsening the lack of achievement of this policy requirement.

Calib Cassim, Eskom’s chief financial officer, said: “Following analysis of the reasons for decision, the Eskom board decided on taking the matter to court. Consequently, we have put in an application for urgent interim relief, which is necessary to avoid financial disaster for Eskom. We are seeking an order to address this shortfall in a phased manner.

“In addition, we are seeking the court to review and set aside Nersa’s MYPD4 revenue decision and remit that decision to Nersa for reconsideration in the light of the court’s judgment.”

He said it is Eskom’s understanding from Nersa’s reasons for the decision that the rules and principles of the Electricity Regulation Act as well as the MYPD methodology have not been duly considered by the regulator. The MYPD methodology does not allow for equity investment by government to be included as a return on assets.

Nersa’s deduction of the financial support announced by the shareholder therefore defeats the whole purpose of government support, Cassim said.

In addition, the reasons provided for the latest revenue decision are not aligned with the regulator’s own guidelines on prudence and its previous MYPD and RCA decisions. This is further evidenced by Nersa not including the previous government support of 2015 in its revenue decision.

“Eskom provided sufficient details during public hearings on the impact of the continuous shortfall between allowed revenue and efficient and prudent costs for many years and especially since the beginning of the MYPD3 period.

“The MYPD4 decision has exacerbated the situation further and raises questions about Nersa’s commitment to implementing its mandate that requires considering the balance between the impact on consumers with Eskom’s sustainability when making revenue decisions,” added Cassim.  — SANews