The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) revealed on Thursday that it would make a final determination on Eskom's tariff request by February 24, 2010, well ahead of the start of the utility's financial year on April 1, 2010.

The regulator, which met on October 14 to consider the timelines, also unveiled the full schedule for the processing of Eskom's tariff application under the so-called second multiyear price determination (MYPD 2), which would run from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2013.

Eskom had submitted a request for adjustments of 45% a year for the three-year MYPD 2 period, arguing that, while such increases would be "painful", they were also "unavoidable".

Nersa received the application on September 30, and published the full application on its website on Wednesday, October 14.

It would receive written comments up until November 30 and would host public hearings from January 20 to January 22, 2010.

Nersa planned to publish an 'Issues Paper on Eskom's MYPD 2 application' by October 30, 2010, and the regulator's electricity subcommittee would consider its draft reasons for a determination on February 17, before publishing its final determination on February 24, 2010.

Nersa encouraged stakeholders to participate in the process by submitting written comments and by attending and/or making oral presentations at the public hearings.

"Due to the unprecedented public interest . . . Nersa is considering conducting regional/provincial public hearings aimed at broadening accessibility, public consultation and participation," the regulator said in a statement, adding that the dates and venues for these hearings would be published in due course.