Friday, June 26, 2009.

From Creamer Media in Johannesburg, I’m Mariaan Webb.

Making headlines today:

Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa CEO Tshepo Lucky Montana says the newly established Prasa hopes to receive the go-ahead from Cabinet later this year for a proposed 80-billion-rand, 6 800-coach new rolling stock programme.

The new coaches will be deployed by commuter rail specialist Metrorail, a division of the State-owned Prasa.

Montana confirms that the recapitalisation programme is still a priority, despite the change in South Africa's administration in May.

(PAUSE)

On Thursday, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa granted electricity utility Eskom a 31,3% power tariff increase. This includes an environmental levy of 2c/kWh.

The increase is just short of the 34% interim tariff hike that Eskom had asked for.

The standard electricity tariff will now increase to 33,14c/kWh, up from the current 25,24c/kWh. Consumers will start paying the higher tariff from July 1.

(PAUSE)

Also making headlines:

The Competition Commission raids cement manufacturers’ offices.
The levy on nonrenewable electricity will become effective on July 1.
The Reserve Bank leaves the interest rates unchanged at 7,5%
And, the Department of Public Enterprises says the economic downturn has given South African ports some breathing space.

That’s a round up of news making headlines today. For more on these and other stories please visit engineeringnews.co.za.