Electricity tariffs are increasing by 8.76% for Eskom direct customers, come April 1, 2026.
Municipalities will have to buy electricity at an increased 9.01% from Eskom, come July 1, 2026.
Some comments online responding to this decision to approve Eskom Retail Tariffs and Structural Adjustment (ERTSA), by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), raised concerns this move might be related to a R54.7-billion revenue correction, ordered by the High Court.
Eskom categorizes its tariff into direct customers, industrial and urban: Megaflex, Miniflex, Nighsave Urban, WEPS, Megaflex Gen, Gen-Wheeling, Gen- offset and Gen-Purchase.
NERSA said according to the ERTSA Methodology, Eskom must recover the full allowed revenue within its financial year, which is from April to March.
However, the municipal financial year is from July to June.
The ERTSA is the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act process, referring to the implementation of new regulations designed to open the South African energy market, incorporating independent power production (IPPs), wheeling, and the restructuring of Eskom.
Gen-Wheeling, Gen-offset, Gen-Purchase also go up to 9.01%, while industrial and urban and rural customers, will buy at 8.76% more.
NERSA’s Charles Hlebela, said “pursuant to the Court order issued on 21 December 2025, NERSA completed the redetermination process on 7 February 2026, enabling Eskom to submit its ERTSA application on 10 February 2026. Eskom submitted its application for the 2026/27 financial year, along with the proposed standard tariff schedule, for review and approval.”
He also said the ERTSA application underwent a comprehensive stakeholder consultation process.
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