Tackling rising cost of electricity a top priority, says Electricity Minister Ramokgopa

JOHANNESBURG - Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said that tackling the ever-rising cost of electricity remains one of his top priorities.

Although Eskom has made progress in reducing load shedding, the cost of electricity has continued to climb each year.

Ramokgopa previously disclosed that power prices had ballooned by 180% over the past decade.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Tuesday, the minister admitted that escalating tariffs were unfair to consumers.

"Electricity is very expensive, so poor households have to make choices between a loaf of bread or buying prepaid units. We are getting to a situation where industries that have got electricity as a dominant input cost are becoming increasingly uncompetitive."

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