South Africans Hit with ≈9% Electricity Hike as Government Clings to Coal
South Africans Hit with ≈9% Electricity Hike as Government Clings to Coal
Johannesburg, South Africa— 350Africa.org says today’s ≈9% electricity tariff increase once again forces ordinary South Africans to pay for a failing coal-based energy system, warning that rising costs stem from underinvestment in renewable energy and calling on government to prioritise a just transition to affordable, clean power.
The organisation says the increase exposes the cost of Eskom’s ageing coal fleet and its reliance on expensive diesel when plants fail.
“South Africans are being forced to pay for Eskom’s dependence on ageing coal stations and costly stop-gap measures when infrastructure fails,” said Tshepo Tshinyi Peele, 350Africa.org South Africa Team Lead. “At a time when families are already choosing between electricity and food, this highlights a growing disconnect between leaders and the realities people face. The longer we delay a transition away from fossil fuels, the more public money is wasted on a system that is both unaffordable and harmful.”
The organisation criticised what it described as continued short-term thinking by government, arguing that instead of accelerating investment in renewable energy, public funds are being used to prop up a struggling coal fleet.
“The cost of producing electricity in this country is too high, and it is maddening to see public money continue to be poured into keeping an ageing coal fleet on life support and relying on expensive diesel when it fails,” said Ferron Pedro, Senior Campaigner at 350Africa.org. “These tariff increases are the result of years of underinvestment in renewable energy. This did not have to be the case, we must hold leaders accountable and demand a shift toward affordable, public renewables that can guarantee electricity for all.”
The organisation has noted that the true cost of South Africa’s fossil fuel dependence extends far beyond rising tariffs. Communities across the country bear the health and environmental impacts of polluting coal-fired power stations. Air pollution linked to fossil fuels is estimated to cost the country a staggering R960 billion (or 14% of the country’s GDP) each year in health impacts, premature deaths, and lost productivity.
At the same time, climate-related disasters are placing growing pressure on public infrastructure and budgets. The 2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods alone caused more than R17 billion in damages, with recent floods in Limpopo and heatwaves in Mpumalanga further highlighting the urgency of transitioning to a cleaner, more resilient energy system.
350Africa.org is calling for urgent investment in public renewable energy as a long-term solution to rising electricity costs. It says this could help reduce tariffs, expand Free Basic Electricity for low-income households, and support job creation and local economic development.
To advance this, 350Africa.org will launch a public campaign on 30 April 2026, calling for expanded Free Basic Electricity and greater public investment in renewable energy to improve affordability and access. Launch details to follow soon.
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Media contact:
Boitumelo Masipa
tumi@350.org
+2781 452 9096
About 350Africa.org
350Africa.org is part of the 350.org global, people-led movement working to accelerate a just transition away from fossil fuels toward affordable, renewable energy. Through campaigns, advocacy, and movement-building, the organisation supports solutions that expand energy access, promote equity, and address the climate crisis.