Eskom, South Africa’s power utility, has announced an average electricity tariff increase of 8.76% for the 2026/27 financial year, following approval by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). This adjustment will take effect from April 1, 2026, for customers who purchase electricity directly from Eskom.
The increase is necessary to support the long-term sustainability of the electricity system while maintaining affordability considerations, according to Eskom. “We have been clear in communicating that Eskom is working to ensure that future tariff increase requests remain reasonable, recognising the affordability pressures on both residential and business customers,” said Eskom Group Chief Financial Officer Calib Cassim.
What the Increase Means for Consumers
The tariff adjustment is aimed at ensuring the utility can continue to deliver stable electricity supply while covering the costs associated with generating, transmitting and distributing power. The regulator also took into account the affordability of electricity for consumers and the long-term sustainability of the national power system when approving the increase.
According to the Eskom website, subsidised tariffs will remain in place, particularly for low-income households and rural communities. “Homelight tariffs continue to be subsidised, with these subsidies recovered through the Affordability Subsidy Charge,” Eskom said.
Measures to Ensure Affordability
Eskom further reassured customers that rural tariffs also remain subsidised due to higher network costs in those areas, with subsidies recovered through the Electrification and Rural Subsidy charge and the Low-Voltage charge. The utility said these measures are intended to ensure electricity remains accessible and affordable for vulnerable households.
For more information on the tariff increase and its impact on consumers, visit the NERSA website for detailed explanations and guidelines.
Here are some key points to note about the tariff increase:
- The average electricity tariff increase is 8.76% for the 2026/27 financial year.
- The increase will take effect from April 1, 2026, for customers who purchase electricity directly from Eskom.
- Municipalities that buy electricity in bulk will implement their increases from July 1, 2026, averaging 9.01%.
- Subsidised tariffs will remain in place for low-income households and rural communities.
