What is the Eskom electricity price per kWh？Coping with price hikes

South Africa’s energy crisis has pushed the cost of electricity in South Africa to unprecedented levels, with Eskom electricity price per kWh soaring at unprecedented rates. This article dissects the root causes of tariff hikes, compares pricing across sectors, and provides actionable strategies to manage increasing electricity bills, including innovative solutions like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station.

The Eskom Electricity Price is Continuously Rising

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, has raised tariffs by 33.8% cumulatively in 2023–2024, far outpacing the country’s 4.4% inflation rate. Approved hikes include:

• 18.65% in 2023
• 12.74% in 2024
• Proposed 36.1% in 2025, pending regulatory approval

These increases reflect Eskom’s R400 billion debt burden, aging coal-fired power plants (average age: 45 years), and R27 billion annual diesel expenditure for emergency generation. For households, this translates to electricity bills consuming 15–20% of monthly income in low-income areas.

Why Are Prices Rising So Sharply?

1. Infrastructure Collapse: 48% of Eskom’s installed capacity is offline due to breakdowns or maintenance.
2. Debt Servicing Costs: Interest payments consume 12% of Eskom’s revenue.
3. Municipal Markups: Local governments add up to 200% surcharges on Eskom’s base tariff.
4. Carbon Tax: R120/ton CO2 levy since 2023 adds R0.05/kWh to coal-generated power.

The Price of Electricity per kWh in South Africa: 2024 Breakdown

Recent Pricing Figures

Source: NERSA 2024 Tariff Report

Price Differentials: Residential, Commercial, Industrial

South Africa’s electricity tariffs per kWh vary significantly by sector. While residential users face the highest rates, electricity business prices per kWh for commercial entities typically range between R1.85-R3.12, reflecting bulk purchasing advantages but still impacted by Eskom’s escalating costs.

Eskom’s revenue decline (2% in 2023–2024) due to reduced electricity sales—driven by solar adoption and private generation—has intensified pressure to raise prices. Municipalities, the primary distributors, also adjust tariffs in line with Eskom, further cascading costs to end-users.

As of March 2025, Eskom’s proposed 36.1% tariff increase for 2025 remains under review by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). While final rates are pending approval, sector-specific projections can be derived from Eskom’s application and historical trends.

Below are the estimated electricity prices per kWh for 2025 across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors:

1. Residential Electricity Prices

2024 Baseline: R2.558/kWh (~$0.14/kWh) .2025 Projection: If approved, the 36.1% hike would raise residential tariffs to R3.48/kWh (~$0.19/kWh).

2. Commercial Electricity Prices

2024 Baseline: R2.10/kWh (~$0.11/kWh), 18% lower than residential rates.2025 Projection: Expected to rise to R2.85/kWh (~$0.15/kWh).

3. Industrial Electricity Prices

2024 Baseline: R1.80/kWh (~$0.10/kWh) for large-scale users.2025 Projection: Likely to increase by ~30% to R2.34/kWh (~$0.13/kWh).

Household Coping Strategies for Rising Electricity Prices

Energy-Saving Measures

These practical strategies to save electricity can help households mitigate the impact of rising tariffs while contributing to load reduction efforts during peak demand periods.

1. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

Replace outdated devices with energy-efficient models to slash power use by 20–50%.

2. Optimize Heating and Cooling

Heating/cooling accounts for ~40% of household energy use.

• Install ceiling insulation to reduce heat loss in winter.
• Use reflective window films to block summer heat, cutting AC use by 25%.
• Service HVAC systems annually to maintain efficiency.

Case Study: A Cape Town household saved R800/month by combining insulation and a programmable thermostat.

Adjust Daily Power-Using Habits

Peak Avoidance: Shift High-Energy Tasks

.Eskom’s time-of-use tariffs penalize peak-hour usage (typically 6–9 AM and 5–8 PM). Shifting tasks to off-peak hours (9 PM–6 AM) can cut costs by 15–30%.

Cold Water Washing: Slash Water Heating Costs

Heating water accounts for 40% of a washing machine’s energy use. Switching to cold water (20°C) reduces this cost by 75%.Local Example: Johannesburg’s “Cold Wash Challenge” campaign reports participants saving R200–R300/month.

Microwave vs. Oven: Use energy-efficient appliances like air fryers or microwaves, which consume 30–50% less energy than ovens.

Programmable Timers: Use smart plugs to automate dishwashers or pool pumps.

Case Study: : A Durban family saved R480/month by shifting laundry, cooking, and ironing to off-peak hours.

Adoption of Alternative Energy Sources

With Eskom outages lasting 6–10 hours daily during Stage 6 load shedding, hybrid solutions are essential:

1. Solar Power Systems

• A 5kW solar generator system (R150,000 installed) can offset 80% of a household’s daytime usage, with a 7-year payback period at current tariffs.
• Municipalities like Cape Town offer feed-in tariffs of R1.03/kWh for excess solar power.

2. Battery Storage

For South African households grappling with Stage 6 load shedding, battery storage systems like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Portable Power Station (R89,999–R149,999) have become indispensable. This advanced solar generator provides critical backup during outages with its 3.6kWh expandable capacity. Key features:

• 3.6kWh capacity, expandable to 25kWh
• Charges fully via solar in 2.8 hours
• Powers refrigerators (200W) for 18 hours
• Mobile app for usage tracking

Case Study : A Johannesburg family reduced Eskom reliance by 70% using an EcoFlow power station combined with 800W solar panels, cutting monthly bills from R2,800 to R850.

Key advantages over diesel generators include:

• Silent operation (0 dB) and zero emissions, compliant with urban noise bylaws.
• Smart app integration for real-time monitoring of energy flows and outage predictions via EskomSePush API.
• 10-year lifespan with 80% capacity retention, versus 3–5 years for traditional UPS systems.

3. Community Co-Ops

Shared solar farms in regions like Stellenbosch sell power at R0.85/kWh—40% below Eskom’s residential rate.

Conclusion

Implementing these strategies to manage increasing electricity bills – from energy audits to adopting solar generators – is no longer optional but essential for financial resilience.Eskom’s electricity price per kWh will likely exceed R3.00 by 2027, but households can fight back through:

• Immediate Action: Deploy solar + storage like the EcoFlow DELTA Pro to lock in energy costs.
• Policy Advocacy: Demand transparent tariff structures and faster REIPPPP implementation.
• Community Collaboration: Pool resources for bulk solar purchases and microgrid development.

For businesses, time-of-use optimization and onsite generation are no longer optional—they’re survival strategies. As solar costs drop below R0.70/kWh, the shift from Eskom’s grid isn’t just economical; it’s inevitable.

FAQs

What Energy-Saving Incentives Does the SA Government Offer?

Beyond tax rebates, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP) funds community microgrids in rural areas. However, bureaucratic delays mean only 12% of pledged projects are operational.

Anything to Note When Paying Electricity Bills?

• Prepaid Meter Scams: Fraudulent vendors sell “discounted” tokens that fail after 3 days. Only use municipal-approved vendors.
• Dispute Resolution: Under NERSA regulations, billing errors must be resolved within 21 days with penalty-free deferrals.

Is There a Recent Power-Rationing Plan in SA?

Eskom’s Load Shedding Stages 1–8 now include “Load Reduction” (voluntary 30-minute outages) to protect grid infrastructure. Municipalities publish schedules via apps like EskomSePush.