South African consumers could be paying more for electricity from next year, with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) considering an average tariff increase of 8.8% for Eskom customers from 1 April 2027.
The proposed adjustment is part of NERSA’s consultation process for Eskom’s 2027/28 Retail Tariff Structural Adjustment (ERTSA).
The regulator has invited consumers, businesses and other interested parties to comment on the proposal. Submissions close on 2 October 2026, after which NERSA will make its final decision.
The latest proposal comes after Eskom’s direct customers received an 8.76% tariff increase in April this year. Customers supplied through municipalities saw increases of around 9% from July.
NERSA revises previous tariff decisions
The latest figures are considerably higher than the increases NERSA originally approved for Eskom.
The regulator initially approved increases of 5.36% for 2026/27 and 6.19% for 2027/28. These figures were subsequently reviewed after NERSA identified errors in its calculations.
Following the review, the increases were revised upwards to 8.76% and 8.83%.
NERSA said the revised tariffs were aimed at maintaining Eskom’s financial viability while taking the impact on electricity users into account.
Proposed changes to electricity charges
The consultation is not limited to the overall tariff increase. NERSA is also considering changes to the way Eskom charges customers.
Among the proposals are fixed service charges for residential customers.
Eskom has indicated that certain charges need to be made more cost-effective, with adjustments to energy rates designed to ensure that the overall increase remains around the proposed 8.8%.
Eskom reports stronger financial performance
The proposed tariff hike comes despite Eskom recording a significant improvement in its financial results.
Reuters reported that the power utility made a R30.3 billion profit in the financial year ending March 2026. That is more than twice the R14 billion profit recorded a year earlier.
At the same time, Eskom's electricity sales volumes declined by 6.2%. Money owed to the utility by municipalities also continued to rise, increasing by 17.9% to R111.6 billion.
Eskom has nevertheless made considerable progress in stabilising electricity supply. During the 2025/26 financial year, rolling blackouts were recorded on just four days, compared with 329 days in 2024.
For consumers, however, the improved reliability of the electricity system comes against the backdrop of steadily rising tariffs.
Households and businesses are increasingly looking at alternatives such as solar power to reduce their dependence on Eskom.
It is important to note that the 8.8% figure is still a proposal and has not been approved as the final increase.
NERSA will consider public and stakeholder submissions received by 2 October before announcing its final decision on Eskom's 2027/28 tariffs.
The proposed adjustment is part of NERSA’s consultation process for Eskom’s 2027/28 Retail Tariff Structural Adjustment (ERTSA).
The regulator has invited consumers, businesses and other interested parties to comment on the proposal. Submissions close on 2 October 2026, after which NERSA will make its final decision.
The latest proposal comes after Eskom’s direct customers received an 8.76% tariff increase in April this year. Customers supplied through municipalities saw increases of around 9% from July.
NERSA revises previous tariff decisions
The latest figures are considerably higher than the increases NERSA originally approved for Eskom.
The regulator initially approved increases of 5.36% for 2026/27 and 6.19% for 2027/28. These figures were subsequently reviewed after NERSA identified errors in its calculations.
Following the review, the increases were revised upwards to 8.76% and 8.83%.
NERSA said the revised tariffs were aimed at maintaining Eskom’s financial viability while taking the impact on electricity users into account.
Proposed changes to electricity charges
The consultation is not limited to the overall tariff increase. NERSA is also considering changes to the way Eskom charges customers.
Among the proposals are fixed service charges for residential customers.
Eskom has indicated that certain charges need to be made more cost-effective, with adjustments to energy rates designed to ensure that the overall increase remains around the proposed 8.8%.
Eskom reports stronger financial performance
The proposed tariff hike comes despite Eskom recording a significant improvement in its financial results.
Reuters reported that the power utility made a R30.3 billion profit in the financial year ending March 2026. That is more than twice the R14 billion profit recorded a year earlier.
At the same time, Eskom's electricity sales volumes declined by 6.2%. Money owed to the utility by municipalities also continued to rise, increasing by 17.9% to R111.6 billion.
Eskom has nevertheless made considerable progress in stabilising electricity supply. During the 2025/26 financial year, rolling blackouts were recorded on just four days, compared with 329 days in 2024.
For consumers, however, the improved reliability of the electricity system comes against the backdrop of steadily rising tariffs.
Households and businesses are increasingly looking at alternatives such as solar power to reduce their dependence on Eskom.
It is important to note that the 8.8% figure is still a proposal and has not been approved as the final increase.
NERSA will consider public and stakeholder submissions received by 2 October before announcing its final decision on Eskom's 2027/28 tariffs.
