NERSA urges public to comment on Eskom’s proposed 8.83% 2027 tariff increase

Members of the public were invited to take part in consultations on Eskom’s proposed 8.83% electricity tariff increase for 2027, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) said in a notice published on 8 September 2026.

What NERSA asked from the public

NERSA said public and stakeholder comments on the proposed tariff structure were open until 2 September while it considered Eskom’s application. The regulator said input from interested and affected parties could influence the final decision.

Legal basis for consultation

Welile Mkhize, NERSA’s head of the Department for Electricity Licensing, Compliance and Dispute Resolution, said public participation was a legal requirement under the Public Administrative Justice Act (PAJA). He said:

“We are mandated by the PAJA, which is your Public Administrative Justice Act, to consult the public whenever decisions that will affect them – interested and affected stakeholders – are to be made. It’s very important because we do use that information in making final decisions.”

How submissions should be framed

Mkhize emphasised that submissions needed to include evidence showing how higher electricity costs would affect households, businesses and other users. He gave an example for low-income households, saying they should show that inability to afford electricity could compound municipal and Eskom debt.

He warned that general statements that electricity was unaffordable would not be enough, adding:

“Those are the facts that must be brought to the table and not just that I can’t afford it, so you need to state why you can’t afford it.”

Potential impacts noted

The proposed 8.83% increase follows an 8.76% tariff rise in 2026. NERSA said the consultation gives the public, industry groups, municipalities and other affected stakeholders an opportunity to put concerns on record before it makes a final determination.

The regulator noted that municipalities that rely on electricity sales as a source of revenue may closely watch the application if consumers struggle with rising bills.

Next steps

According to the notice, NERSA will consider the submissions received before making a final decision on Eskom’s proposed tariff structure. For consumers, the consultation process was presented as an opportunity to have their concerns included in that decision, provided submissions demonstrate how and why the proposed increase would affect them.