The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on Thursday granted electricity utility Eskom a 31,3% power tariff increase, which includes an environmental levy.

State-owned Eskom, which submitted a delayed application in May, had asked for a 34% interim tariff hike.

The average standard electricity tariff would now increase to 33,14 c/kWh.

The electricity increase included an environmental levy of 2 c/kWh. The tax on power generated from non-renewable resources was first suggested in the 2008 Budget.

Nersa also said that the 31,3% increase included a limited price hike of 15% for poor customers, and that the increase would not be applicable to customers with special pricing agreements.

During public hearings held into the matter earlier this month, Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga had said that the interim tariff increase would enable it to guarantee the security of electricity supply, while it finalised its funding model and second multiyear price determination (MYPD), which it was aiming to have completed by September.

A number of parties had rejected the tariff increase application and criticised Eskom for not already having a funding model and its second MYPD ready.