South African recruited to decide on Mauritius’ future electricity price hikes

South African national Langa Mbulelo Ncetezo is the new boss of the Utility Regulatory Authority (URA), which regulates the utility sector and decides on electricity tariffs and agreements.  

The Board of Directors of the URA reportedly approved his three-year contract effective as from July 26. He replaces Eunice Potani.

Ncetezo was the Executive Director of the Electricity Regulation Division of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) for 11 years.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (M.S.E.E) from the University of Minneapolis in the United States. He has also followed numerous training courses on the regulation and reforms of public services.

The nomination comes at a time of growing fears of imminent hikes in electricity bills.

The Utility Regulatory Authority (URA) has begun its consultations with various stakeholders over the proposed increase of electricity tariffs pressed for by the Central Electricity Board (CEB)

According to certain media reports, the spike could hit 30%.