South Africa: South Africans Have Until 27 September to Push Back On Unfair Electricity Pricing

What the report says

South Africa’s Department of Electricity and Energy has opened the revised Electricity Pricing Policy for public comment, giving consumers, businesses and other stakeholders until 27 September 2026 to submit input. The notice was highlighted in a Democratic Alliance statement carried by AllAfrica, which said the process offers an opportunity to shape how electricity pricing is set before the next round of bills is finalized.

According to the DA, many households and firms have seen electricity costs rise faster than incomes and inflation, while the sector has also changed significantly since the current policy was adopted in 2008. The party argued that the old framework was designed for a market dominated by Eskom, whereas South Africa now has more private generation, rooftop solar, electricity trading, wheeling and greater consumer choice.

The DA said it will use the consultation to push for affordability testing, clearer limits on fixed and capacity charges, and fair treatment of customers with rooftop or embedded generation. It also wants more transparency around legacy costs and a review of whether the energy regulator has the capacity to oversee the newer market structure.

Comments may be submitted to the department by email, post or hand delivery, and submissions should include contact details. More broadly, the consultation matters because pricing rules will help determine how costs are shared in a changing electricity market and how much relief consumers may see in future tariffs.