Eskom CFO Calib Cassim presenting at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (Nersa’s) public hearings in Gauteng last week. Eskom is requesting allowable revenue of R219-billion for 2019/20, R252-billion for 2020/21 and R291-billion for 2021/22, which, if granted, would translate into tariff increases of 17.1%, 15.4% and 15.5% for the three years respectively. Labour, business and civil society bodies have mounted stiff resistance to the application, claiming that above-inflation hikes will destroy jobs, undermine investment and even accelerate Eskom’s own downward spiral as energy-intensive firms close. Nersa has indicated that it will announce its decision before March 15.