The National Energy Regulator of SA on Tuesday afternoon wrapped up public hearings into Eskom's application for a 34 percent interim tariff increase.

"The decision we are going to make on 25 June has to ensure that it considers all of your inputs obviously within the constraints of the legislation and policies that guide us," said panel chairperson Smunda Mokoena said in officially closing the two days of hearings.

"I ensure you that we will do that to the best of our ability."

The regulators face an arduous task as they have to weigh the written and oral submissions made and Eskom's application before making a decision.

The number of oral submissions made in opposition to the tariff hike outweighed those which approved it.

Calls for the tariff hike to be rejected were made by, among others, labour heavyweight, the Congress of SA Trade Unions.

Many civil society organisations such as Earthlife Africa, the Anti-Privatisation Forum and Soweto Concerned Residents made submissions on the impact the hike would have on the poor.

During his closing remarks, Eskom chief executive officer Jacob Maroga said the country's electricity supply was already at risk and should the parastatal not receive the required increase, that risk might be increased.

Many organisations failed to make their presentations on Tuesday. These included Business Unity SA and the National Consumer Forum.

Sapa