More pain for South Africans

Brace yourself for a massive electricity tariff hike on 1 April. Despite the ongoing struggle
with excessive load shedding, South Africans will have to dig deeper into their pockets as
Eskom implements another double-digit increase in electricity prices.

“The hike stems from 2023 when the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa)
approved a massive tariff increase split over two years,” explained energy experts. Eskom
had initially applied for a staggering 32% tariff hike for the 2023/2024 financial year, followed
by an additional 22.52% increase in 2024/2025.

The cash-strapped power utility sought to recover a total of R351 billion through the
2023/2024 tariff hike and had planned to recover a further R381 billion the following financial
year. Although 2023 absorbed the brunt of the increase at 18.65%, residential homeowners
will still face a significant 12.74% rise in their electricity rates starting on April 1st.

“Eskom was looking to recover R351 billion through the tariff hike in 2023/2024 and had
planned to recover R381 billion the following financial year,” stated industry analysts. This
latest hike will undoubtedly add to the financial strain already experienced by South African
households grappling with the country’s ongoing energy crisis and economic challenges.