Winde says NERSA's R54bn out-of-court settlement with Eskom can't go unchallenged

CAPE TOWN - Western Cape Premier Alan Winde said the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) R54 billion out-of-court settlement with Eskom cannot go unchallenged.

Consumers could be forking out even more for electricity next year after NERSA admitted to miscalculating Eskom's revenue shortfall.

The settlement follows a judicial review by Eskom challenging the energy regulator's initial revenue decision.

NERSA's R54 billion out-of-court settlement with Eskom will phase in R12 billion in additional tariffs next year, R23 billion the following year, with the final amount still to be decided for 2028.

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Winde has rejected the settlement.

"It's patently unfair to the residents of this country and of this province who are struggling with the increased costs of living in an environment of slow growth."

NERSA spokesperson Charles Hlebela said the settlement will only be effective once it's been made an order of the court.

"It is also important to indicate that there will be no additional price increase for the current 2025/2026 financial year."

Winde added that the public should be granted an avenue of recourse to challenge NERSA's oversight.