Rising Electricity Costs Spark Calls for NERSA to Reject Eskom Tariff Hike

Eskom proposal to increase electricity rates by 8.83% for the 2027–2028 fiscal year was urged by The Green Connection to be rejected by NERSA.

The eco justice group warned that a further increase would push already impoverished households into even greater poverty due to rising costs.

Coastal fishermen and members of the Free State community talked about how costly electricity has already affected their means of subsistence.

Energy regulators and an eco justice organization have clashed over plans to increase electricity rates once more.

The Green Connection formally urged the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) on October 15 to reject Eskom proposed 8.83% tariff increase for the 2027–2028 fiscal year, claiming that South Africans would not be able to handle another increase.

The proposed increase comes after an 8.76% increase that was already authorized for 2026–2027. This increase was the outcome of a redetermination of Eskom revenue following legal proceedings and regulatory errors.

According to The Green Connection, the cumulative impact of successive increases is disastrous for average households.

“Families are having to choose between electricity and meeting other basic needs, while unemployment and economic pressures continue to undermine household security,” stated Lisa Makaula, the organization Advocacy Lead.

She cited data from Statistics South Africa that showed youth unemployment rose by 1.5 percentage points to 47.4% in the second quarter of 2026 as proof that NERSA needs to prioritize affordability when making decisions.

The coastline of South Africa is arguably where the human cost of rising tariffs is most apparent. Ernest Titus, a Lamberts Bay small scale fisherman, described a scenario in which school expenses, food, and electricity all vie for the same declining income. In the words of young Port Nolloth activist Chanel Jaar.

Because R100 only buys a few units, it is difficult for pensioners who depend on SASSA grants to keep their lights on.

These concerns were echoed by Ntsindiso Nongcavu, Acting Chairperson of the Cacavu Fishing Cooperative in Port St. Johns, who noted that high fuel and electricity costs put pressure on small scale fishermen on both ends.

The Green Connection is pushing for more substantial changes to the electricity price-setting process in addition to the current tariff issue.

The organization outreach ambassador, Neville van Rooy, argued that consumers should be able to understand what they are paying for before bearing the financial consequences and demanded greater transparency regarding the costs used to justify increases.

The group also wants South Africa electricity pricing policy to be updated annually and in accordance with a regularly reviewed Integrated Energy Plan.

The International Renewable Energy Agency reports that 62% of the renewable capacity added worldwide in 2020 will already be less expensive than the least expensive new fossil fuel substitute.

The Green Connection stance is unambiguous: until the public has been adequately informed and given a chance to discuss the implications of electricity market reforms, like Eskom unbundling and the creation of a wholesale electricity market, no further tariff increases should be made.

Link:https://briefly.co.za/people/256616-nersa-urged-reject-eskoms-883-electricity-tariff-increase-costs-bite/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=ps

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