South Africans are invited to comment on Eskom's proposed electricity tariff structure for 2027/28, which may bring changes to fixed and service charges.
South Africa's national energy regulator (Nersa) published a consultation document on 3 September regarding Eskom's adjustment of retail tariffs (ERTSA) and gave stakeholders until 2 October 2026 to comment. The process is not about the new 8.83% increase that has just been announced. The average 8.83% increase for Eskom's direct customers in the 2027/28 financial year has already been approved as part of the multi-year tariff decision. The current consultation is about how that increase will be applied in Eskom's tariff structure. According to Nersa's executive manager for electricity, Rhulani Mathebula, the regulator wants input among other things on the fairness of the proposed structure and the way Eskom will collect different charges from consumers.
One of the most significant changes is the proposed adjustment of fixed charges. According to MyBroadband Eskom is phasing in fixed infrastructure costs over a three-year period, with those charges reaching their full level in 2027/28. The service and administration charge may also rise significantly under the proposed structure. However, the impact will not necessarily be the same for every household, since the 8.83% is an average increase and different tariff categories may be affected differently. For municipal customers, the average increase under the ERTSA structure is 8.84%.
Sources: Nersa, SABC News, MyBroadband
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
