Earthlife Africa to protest at NERSA amid Eskom electricity hike

Earthlife Africa says power increases tariffs will put more pressure on struggling households.

Environmental non-profit organisation, Earthlife Africa, will on Wednesday demonstrate outside the offices of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), in Pretoria, against another tariff hike.

[WATCH] Starting from the 1st of April, Eskom customers will face a 12.7% increase in electricity tariffs, as approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Independent energy analyst Clyde Mallinson weighs in. pic.twitter.com/IVLnKtM5ww

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 31, 2025

The action coincides with NERSA’s deadline for public comment on Eskom’s Sixth Multi-Year Price Determination. It also follows NERSA’s miscalculation of revenue when it determined Eskom’s permissible tariff increases in 2025.

The shortfall, after court processes, now stands at R76 billion, which taxpayers will have to fork out.

“The reason why Earthlife Africa is embarking on a peaceful demonstration at the energy regulator, which is NERSA, in Pretoria, is because of a recent decision that the Eskom around the Eskom MYPD6 revenue application for 2026, 27 and 28 that NERSA has actually given the go-ahead for Eskom to increase electricity further,” says Senior Programs Officer at Earthlife South Africa, Thabo Sibeko.

He says they feel that the decision is going to cripple a lot of marginalised communities, as people are already struggling to pay for the current energy prices.

WATCH | Former President Thabo Mbeki says Eskom lacks the capacity to withstand South Africa’s current economic pressures, while also stressing that the ANC must ensure the upcoming National Dialogue proceeds despite political disputes. pic.twitter.com/46T4KSmS0u

— SABC News (@SABCNews) January 17, 2026