Tariff increases make that lack of visibility costly. Consumers and businesses need to understand what they use, when they use it, and whether the appliances they depend on are efficient enough for the way energy is priced now.
South African households and businesses need to treat energy efficiency as a monthly operating discipline rather than a one-off purchase decision.
This is as municipal electricity tariff increases take effect from the beginning of next month.
Eskom’s approved 2026/27 tariffs include an average 8.76% increase for direct Eskom customers from April 1, with municipal tariff changes taking effect from July 1. Individual municipal increases may vary, but electricity is becoming a more expensive part of running a home or business.
For households already under pressure, this adds another layer to monthly budgeting, Trevor Brewer, director of Solenco, says.
