South Africans who are still using electricity from the grid are in for a world of pain.
Effective 1 April 2026, the NERSA-approved average 8.76% electricity tariff increase for Eskom direct customers will go into effect.
Discover your solar savings potential today with LookSee’s Smart Save journey.
This is the first of many annual increases, with a further 8.83% increase having already been approved for April 2027, and more to come in the years that follow.
The impact of these increases on your electricity bill is detailed below.
| Estimated impact on your electricity bill* | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current electricity bill | Monthly electricity bill | Annual electricity bill | ||
| April 2026 | April 2027 | 2026/27 | 2027/28 | |
| R1 000 | R1 087.60 | R1 183.64 | R13 051.20 | R14 203.62 |
| R2 500 | R2 719.00 | R2 959.09 | R32 628.00 | R35 509.05 |
| R4 000 | R4 350.40 | R4 734.54 | R52 204.80 | R56 814.48 |
| R5 500 | R5 981.80 | R6 509.99 | R71 781.60 | R78 119.92 |
Municipal electricity customers are not immune from the electricity tariff increases, either.
Municipalities that purchase bulk electricity from Eskom are facing a 9.01% increase in Eskom’s wholesale supply price from 1 July 2026.
This will unquestionably be passed down to households.
This means that South African households will need to budget in increases which are almost three times the rate of consumer inflation.
Households under strain
South African households are already under strain, with the latest example of this being the projected increases to petrol and diesel prices caused by the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
These unprecedented fuel price increases are an unwelcome burden – and are now being compounded by rising electricity tariffs.
Thankfully, there is an obvious way to reduce the ballooning costs your household faces: home solar.
Guaranteed savings
Home solar is more affordable than it has ever been – and the financial case has become obvious.
These solutions are available in various sizes and styles, ensuring that there is an option for every situation.
The best solution is a full home solar system that almost completely removes your reliance on the grid.
With the increase in electricity tariffs, combined with the decrease in solar hardware prices, you are guaranteed to save lots of money over time.
Homeowners also have access to financing and rental models that reduce the immediate cost of this solar investment – and in many cases, these models will deliver net financial benefits from day one.
If you do decide to purchase your solar system, you can also take advantage of LookSee’s Savings Guarantee , where it will promise you a certain amount of savings in the first six months, or you get R2,000 cash – no questions asked.
Solar at your own pace
If you are not willing to fully commit to solar, you can start small – as home solar systems are modular.
For example: you can begin by converting your electric geyser to use solar panels as their power source.
This is an extremely affordable option, and even when financed, will almost always see you saving money from the first month.
You can also begin by installing a smaller system that you run during peak periods where electricity prices are at their highest, or consumption is most intense.
Then, over time, you can add more batteries or panels to expand your system.
Delaying solar is delaying savings
As electricity tariffs continue to increase, every month that you don’t have solar is a month that you are losing out on potential savings.
With tariff increases set to continue for years to come, there is no point in stalling.
Discover your solar savings potential today with LookSee’s Smart Save journey.
