South Africas industrial giants, which spend billions a year on electricity, are seeking tariff relief to stay afloat as high energy costs crowd out spending on key growth initiatives.
The countrys astronomical energy costs, which have increased more than 700 since 2007, have been singled out as a major impediment to competitiveness and reindustrialisation in the country.
With Eskoms sales having also taken a beating due to industrial players cutting back on spending and some closing, the power producer has become more amenable to providing short-term relief as authorities scramble to find a permanent solution to the energy cost conundrum.
