Consumers directly supplied by Eskom face an 8,7% electricity tariff increase from today, prompting renewed calls for reform of South Africa’s electricity pricing model.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved tariff hike for the 2026/27 financial year came into effect on 1 April, affecting residents and businesses supplied directly by the power utility.

The Democratic Alliance has criticised the increase, with the party’s spokesperson for electricity and energy, Kevin Mileham MP, describing it as “another unjustified cost of living increase”.

Mileham said consumers were being forced to bear the burden of what he termed Nersa’s R54,7 billion data error, operational inefficiencies, and years of wastage.

“Eskom users are by and large from impoverished areas and will now be forced to carry an additional burden,” Mileham said in a statement released on Tuesday.

The utility has said the tariff increase will enable it to provide a stable and reliable electricity supply. However, the DA has disputed this justification, arguing the hikes are unaffordable and designed to pass operational costs onto consumers.

The opposition party said the increases place extreme strain on households, small businesses, and manufacturers, with costs rising above inflation rates.

The DA is advocating for what it describes as a “fair and transparent” pricing policy that prioritises affordability, accountability, and diversification of the energy market.

The party has pledged to continue fighting for lower tariffs and reform of the current pricing model.

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