The National Energy Regulator (Nersa) is to hold public hearings into Eskom’s reopener application for the third Multi-Year Price Determination next week.

The public hearings will be held on 23 and 24 June at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.

In April the power utility raised tariffs by just over 12% and it has applied for an additional 12.7% tariff hike for July.

“Eskom’s selective reopener application is for a total price increase of 25.30% for the 2015/16 financial year.

“This will consist of the 12.69% already approved by the energy regulator, the 10.10% selective reopener for Open Cycle Gas Turbines and the Short-Term Power Purchase Programme, as well as 2.51% for the increase in the environmental levy by 2c/kWh,” said Nersa on Thursday.

At a media briefing on Wednesday, Eskom acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brian Molefe said higher tariffs would mean less load shedding.

He added that the utility has applied for additional funds to buy diesel to keep its Open Cycle Gas Turbines running when the power grid is constrained.

The hearings will kick off at 9am.