An Eskom submission, reportedly on tariff rises, was in fact about proposed changes of rules regarding price determination, says the minerals and energy department.

Media reports stated that Eskom had applied to the Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) for the annual electricity price increases, the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

"(We) would like to place on record that the said submission was in fact a response to the consultation paper on rules for the MYPD (Multi Year Price Determination i.e. proposed rule changes) that was published by Nersa," the department said.

"Eskom's response was tabled at the Nersa public hearings that were held on 4 February 2009. The rules refer to the tariff methodology that will be followed during the evaluation of Eskom's price application."