Electrification SA enjoys the second lowest electricity tariff in the world, and Escom, which is among the top five international suppliers in terms of size and sales, has lived up to its promise to reduce the cost of electricity in real terms. Dubbing it our biggest national asset, and a powerhouse for the whole sub region, Da Silva describes Escom as the most successful public corporation. The failure to reach its target may continue as it turns its attention towards more expensive rural electrification. Electrification is on the RDP's list of priorities, but the Centre for Policy Studies' Caroline White finds that the majority of people who have access to electricity don't use it. Among the reasons is its price.
Many people find it too expensive for high energy purposes.
Unlike paraffin, gas or coal for cooking and heating, they find it hard to estimate the amount used by any one appliance. The shock comes with the electricity bill. Snyman explains that Escom's major problem is that each new connection costs in the region of R3 000. Even with normal usage of high consumer items, like cooking stoves, the return on investment takes time.