Eskom was expected to explain on Monday morning why it believed it needed to increase electricity prices by 34% this year.

The utility's presentation would kick-start the public hearings on its proposed power price hike.

The first person the energy regulator would hear from was Eskom's Chief Executive Jacob Maroga who was tasked with explaining why the utility needed hundreds of billions of rand and why the public would have to pay more for electricity.

Other role-players would have the opportunity to address the regulator including organisations representing local councils and the Cosatu will argue ordinary people could not afford to pay the proposed increase.

Eyewitness News