- Eskom’s 9% electricity tariff hike kicked in on 1st April as costs linked to coal dependence rise.
- 350Africa.org urges accelerated investment in public renewable energy to lower costs.
- Health and climate impacts of fossil fuels continue to strain the economy and infrastructure.
South African households and businesses are set to absorb a 9% increase in electricity tariffs, with advocacy group 350Africa.org warning that the hike reflects the ongoing financial burden of a coal reliant energy system.
The organisation says the tariff adjustment highlights the mounting costs associated with Eskom and its ageing coal fired power stations, as well as its dependence on expensive diesel generation during outages.
Tshepo Tshinyi Peele, South Africa Team Lead at 350Africa.org, said consumers are effectively subsidising inefficiencies in the current energy mix. He noted that households already under financial strain are being forced to absorb rising electricity costs while facing broader cost of living pressures.
According to the organisation, continued reliance on legacy coal infrastructure and short term interventions is driving up the cost of electricity production. It argues that insufficient investment in renewable energy over the past decade has contributed directly to the current pricing pressures.
Ferron Pedro, Senior Campaigner at 350Africa.org, said public funds are still being directed towards maintaining an ageing coal fleet rather than accelerating the rollout of cleaner and more cost effective energy solutions. He added that the current trajectory risks locking the country into higher long term costs while delaying energy security improvements.
Beyond tariffs, the economic burden of fossil fuel dependence remains significant. Air pollution linked to coal based power generation is estimated to cost South Africa around R960 billion annually, equivalent to 14% of GDP, due to health impacts, premature deaths and reduced productivity.
Climate related events are also increasing fiscal pressure. The 2022 KwaZulu Natal floods resulted in damages exceeding R17 billion, while recent flooding in Limpopo and heatwaves in Mpumalanga continue to underscore the vulnerability of existing infrastructure.
350Africa.org is calling for urgent investment in publicly owned renewable energy as a pathway to stabilise tariffs, expand Free Basic Electricity for low income households and stimulate local economic development.
The organisation has announced plans to launch a public campaign on 30 April 2026 aimed at expanding access to Free Basic Electricity and increasing public sector investment in renewable energy. Further details on the campaign are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
