The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has had its public hearings in Cape Town today to consider Eskom’s proposed electricity tariff hike of 36% for the 2025 financial year.

 The hearings, which will travel through all nine provinces before concluding on December 4, 2024, aim to gather public input on this contentious proposal. Eskom’s application outlines further tariff increases of 12% for 2026/27 and 9% for 2027/28, projecting revenue collections of R446 billion, R495 billion, and R537 billion, respectively, over the next three years.

Residents and stakeholders have expressed frustration over the financial burden these hikes could impose, particularly on vulnerable households and small businesses already grappling with economic hardship.

This increase, part of Eskom’s Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD6) submission to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), has sparked widespread concern amid the country’s ongoing economic challenges.

SAFCEI warns that such a steep rise in electricity costs will deepen the energy affordability crisis, disproportionately affecting low-income households, small businesses, and vulnerable communities. The multi-faith eco-justice organization argues that a systemic review of South Africa's electricity pricing model is critical to ensure affordability, sustainability, and equity in the country's energy supply.

 To further unpack we are joined on the line by To further unpack we talk Francesca de Gasparis, Executive Director at SAFCEI (South African Faith Communities' Environmental Institute)