MOSSEL BAY NEWS - "Mossel Bay residents do not necessarily realise that different electricity tariffs apply," the ANC Chief Whip, Councillor Jovan Bruinders told the Mossel Bay Advertiser.

This follows a report to council that people are of the opinion that different tariffs for electricity are charged in different areas.

Not so, explained the municipal manager when he addressed these concerns at a recent committee meeting. He urged residents to note the different tariffs applicable.

Tariffs are approved annually.

Single phase, two-part tariff
Consumers in this category, Tariff 1.A, pay a fixed monthly basic electricity charge. 

This monthly charge is levied on the first purchase per month irrespective of the amount of units bought.

It is therefore advisable that the purchase should exceed R287.96 in order to receive any units. 

The fixed monthly charge is R287.96. Thereafter the purchaser receives 20kwh electricity free of charge and pays R1-396 per kwh.

Single phase, one-part tariff
Consumers in this category, Tariff 1.B, pay no fixed monthly charge. The unit cost applies in respect of every purchase. 

The consumer receives 20kwh electricity free of charge and pays R1-710 per kwh.

Single phase, indigent household tariff
This tariff - Tariff 1.C - applies to indigent households as identified in the Credit Control Policy of council. 

The consumer is entitled to 50kwh free of charge per month and there are block tariffs.

After the first 50kwh of free units, the consumer pays R1-237 per unit up to a total of 350kwh. 

Thereafter, up to 600kwh, the amount increases to R1-672. When the consumer uses more than 600kwh, the cost per unit increases to R2-009.

"The normal, default tariff is Tariff 1.B. High usage consumers would benefit from Tariff 1.A," municipal spokesperson Colin Puren explained.

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