Consumers supplied by City Power will have to dig deeper into their pockets, as the entity has implemented an 8.63% electricity hike for the 2026/27 financial year from today.
City Power sought to assure consumers that the increase is below that approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) and Eskom, which stands at 8.76%, as it aims to cushion customers against rising electricity costs.
“This reflects the entity’s commitment to balancing the increasing costs associated with maintaining and operating a reliable electricity network while recognising the financial pressures facing households and businesses,” said City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
The entity says that, despite the increase in the cost of electricity supply nationally, its new tariff of 8.63% remains among the lowest of South Africa’s major metropolitan municipalities.
City Power highlighted that most customer categories will experience an average increase of 9.01%, while targeted tariff interventions have reduced increases for selected residential customer categories.
The entity has assured consumers in certain categories that it will continue to implement measures aimed at cushioning them wherever possible.
“The Residential Prepaid Low tariff continues to provide relief to qualifying indigent customers. Registered indigent customers remain exempt from the monthly R70 service charge and the R140 network capacity charge, providing a combined saving of R210 per month, ensuring continued protection for qualifying indigent households.
A typical customer consuming 250 kWh per month will now pay R680.93, compared to R624.65 previously, representing an increase of R56.28 (9.01%),” explained Mangena.
Meanwhile, the acting City Power CEO, Charles Tlouane, said that revenue collected from the new tariffs will help the entity invest in its infrastructure to keep the lights on.
“The revenue generated through these tariffs enables City Power to maintain and upgrade ageing infrastructure, strengthen the electricity network, improve reliability, and continue delivering quality services to our customers. At the same time, we remain committed to protecting vulnerable households through targeted tariff interventions and our Free Basic Electricity Programme,” said Tlouane.
