Electricity Price Increase 2026/27: What Eskom and Municipal Customers Pay
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) decides how much Eskom may charge. It announced the 2026/27 increases on 5 March 2026.
Electricity Increases at a Glance
| Who you buy from | Average increase | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eskom (direct customers) | 8.76% | 1 April 2026 | 31 March 2027 |
| Municipalities (bulk price paid to Eskom) | 9.01% | 1 July 2026 | 30 June 2027 |
| Eskom, next year (2027/28) | 8.83% (approved) | 1 April 2027 | 31 March 2028 |
Most people in cities and towns buy electricity from their municipality. Many people in rural areas and some townships buy directly from Eskom.
Why Is the Increase Higher Than First Planned?
NERSA first approved a smaller increase of 5.36% for 2026/27. Later, NERSA found a R54.7 billion error in how it had calculated Eskom’s asset value. After a court process, the increase was raised to 8.76%.
What the Increase Means for You
The percentage is an average. Your own increase depends on:
- your tariff type (for example prepaid or post-paid),
- how much electricity you use, and
- your municipality’s own charges, such as fixed monthly fees.
A simple example
If a household spent R800 a month on electricity before the increase, an increase of about 9% adds roughly R72 a month. So the same amount of electricity now costs about R872.
This is only an example. Check the tariffs on your municipality’s website for your exact price per unit.
Homelight and Poorer Households
Eskom’s Homelight tariffs are still subsidised. This means low-use households pay less per unit than the full cost. Some municipalities also give Free Basic Electricity to registered indigent households. Ask your municipality if you qualify.
How to Use Less Electricity
- Switch off geysers when you do not need hot water, or install a geyser timer.
- Use LED light bulbs.
- Boil only the water you need in the kettle.
- Unplug chargers and appliances on standby.
- Wash clothes in cold water when possible.
Electricity Price Questions
How much did electricity go up in 2026?
Eskom’s direct prices went up by 8.76% on average from 1 April 2026. Municipalities pay Eskom 9.01% more from 1 July 2026, and most passed a similar increase on to their customers.
When will electricity prices go up again?
Eskom’s next approved increase is 8.83% from 1 April 2027. Municipal increases usually follow from 1 July.
Why do municipal customers pay a different increase?
Municipalities buy electricity in bulk from Eskom and then sell it to you with their own charges added. Their financial year starts on 1 July, so their increase starts later, and each municipality’s tariff is approved separately.
Who approves electricity price increases?
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).