Power bills set to rise again as Eskom hikes tariffs ahead of winter

Another increase, another squeeze

Just as South Africans brace for colder months and heavier electricity use, another price hike is on the way.

From 1 April 2026, households supplied directly by Eskom will see their electricity bills climb by 8.76%. It’s a jump that lands at a particularly difficult moment, with fuel prices also expected to spike and the broader cost of living already stretched thin.

For many, it’s not just another adjustment, it’s another tough calculation at the end of the month.

Why the increase is higher than expected

The new tariff didn’t start out this high. Initially, the increase was set at 5.36%, but that figure was later revised after National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) corrected errors in its earlier determination.

That revision pushed the final number up to 8.76%, catching many consumers off guard.

And it doesn’t stop there. The following year is already pencilled in for a further increase of 8.83%, as part of a phased approach linked to additional funding granted to Eskom.

Not everyone will feel it at the same time

If you buy electricity directly from Eskom, the new tariffs kick in immediately in April.

But for millions of South Africans who purchase power through municipalities, the increase will only show up from 1 July 2026. That’s because local governments follow a different financial calendar under the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Either way, the increase is coming, it’s just a matter of when.

The bigger picture behind the price hikes

To understand why tariffs keep climbing, you have to look at Eskom’s financial journey over the past few years.

The utility has been under intense pressure, battling debt, ageing infrastructure, and years of operational challenges. In 2023, government stepped in with a massive financial lifeline through the Eskom Debt Relief Act, easing some of that burden.

There have been signs of recovery. Eskom recently posted a pre-tax profit after a significant loss the year before, a turnaround that suggests some progress behind the scenes.

But keeping the lights on consistently, still comes at a high cost. Tariffs, according to the utility, are essential to maintaining and upgrading the power system.

“We know it’s tough,” says Eskom

Eskom’s leadership has acknowledged the strain on households and businesses.

Chief financial officer Calib Cassim has indicated that the utility is trying to keep increases within reason, while also improving efficiency and financial discipline.

At the same time, spokesperson Daphne Mokwena emphasised that the revenue from tariffs goes toward the full electricity supply chain, from generation to distribution and is necessary to ensure reliability in the long term.

Some relief for vulnerable households

Not all customers will feel the increase equally.

Subsidised tariffs, including Homelight and certain rural tariffs, will remain in place. These are designed to support low-income households and communities where the cost of delivering electricity is higher.

The subsidies are funded through broader charges built into the system, helping to keep electricity accessible for those who need it most.

Public reaction: frustration, fatigue, and a bit of dark humour

If you scroll through South African social media right now, the mood is unmistakable.

There’s frustration, of course, but also a kind of weary acceptance. Jokes about “choosing between electricity and groceries” are making the rounds again, alongside memes about switching off geysers and living by candlelight.

It’s a familiar cycle: announcement, outrage, adjustment, repeat.

A fragile balance between cost and stability

There is, however, a slightly more optimistic note in Eskom’s latest update.

The utility’s Energy Availability Factor, a key measure of how much of its power fleet is operational, has improved to over 65% this year, even hitting 70% on multiple occasions.

For a country long plagued by load shedding, that’s not insignificant. It suggests that while electricity may be getting more expensive, supply could be stabilising.

The reality for South Africans

Still, for the average household, the immediate concern isn’t long-term infrastructure, it’s the monthly bill.

With electricity, fuel, and food costs all rising at once, many South Africans are being forced to rethink their spending habits. From using less power at home to investing in alternatives like solar, adaptation is becoming a necessity rather than a choice.

Because in 2026, staying warm and keeping the lights on is going to cost more than ever before.