Ramokgopa Says Electricity Cost Relief Is Expected Before Year-End

South African households could receive relief from high electricity costs before the end of the year, Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has said.

Speaking to SABC News on the sidelines of the 2026 SA Nuclear and Clean Energy Conference in Centurion, Pretoria, Ramokgopa said the country had resolved its load-shedding crisis, but many consumers were still struggling to afford electricity.

He said he had been working with Eskom on a possible price reprieve, with details expected to be announced before the end of the year. The minister pointed to available generating capacity as one possible resource for addressing the cost burden.

“We’ve got access generating capacity now, I am sure there’s 4 000 MW that is idling, how best do you use those instruments to resolve the cost of electricity.

We have asked the chair to think of that, we’ve got ideas we’ve planted with the CEO we think that there has to be an intervention and a relief very soon, what that is.

I will share with the country very soon before we break on the 15th of December, what are this things we can do now it’s very tough, it’s exceptionally tough for all of us but more disproportionate to the poor.”

Ramokgopa did not specify what form the intervention would take, how many households might benefit, or whether the relief would involve changes to tariffs, targeted support or another measure.

He said the government was considering what could be done in the near term.

His comments come as households continue to face pressure from electricity bills, despite improved supply and the end of the load-shedding crisis.

The minister acknowledged that the cost burden is especially severe for poorer residents.

The reference to about 4,000 megawatts of idling capacity raises questions about how existing generation resources could be used to help reduce costs.

Ramokgopa said he had asked Eskom’s chair to consider possible options and had discussed ideas with the utility’s chief executive.

The minister is expected to share more information with the public before the country breaks on 15 December. Until then, the details and likely impact of the planned reprieve remain unclear.

Any relief will be closely watched by households and businesses seeking lower electricity costs.

The government and Eskom have yet to outline the proposal or explain how it would be funded, and Ramokgopa’s remarks did not indicate whether consumers would see an immediate change to their bills.

The announcement signals that officials are considering electricity affordability alongside the challenge of maintaining reliable supply.

While the end of load-shedding has eased one major concern for consumers, the minister’s comments underline that high prices remain an important issue.

Ramokgopa said the situation was “exceptionally tough” and acknowledged that its effects fall disproportionately on the poor. He said the government would provide further information before the December break.

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