NERSA reviewing electricity price hikes after public comments close

South African households powered by Eskom can expect the outcome of the electricity hike revision on 1 April this year.

The National Energy Regulator (NERSA) closed the window for public comment on tariff increase suggestions on Wednesday.

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This follows the regulator's previous approval of an almost 6% increase in January 2025, which was reversed after a calculation error emerged that impacted Eskom's hardware and profit allocation.

Following public comment, the regulator said it would conduct assessments, which would be followed by a decision at the end of this month.

NERSA spokesperson Charles Hlebela said the percentage or amount of the increase would only be known after a thorough assessment of the facts and evidence before the regulator.

Environmental activist Ulrich Steenkamp urged the regulator to listen to the people.

"There is no need for us to continually raise electricity tariffs to the point where we are unable to afford it, so whether there is load shedding or not, our communities will remain dark because we won’t have money to pay for it," Steenkamp said.

He added that some residents found themselves struggling to afford both food and electricity.