Residents and businesses supplied with electricity by the AbaQulusi Local Municipality will pay higher electricity tariffs from July 1 after the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved the municipality’s new pricing structure.

New tariffs take effect

The new tariffs apply to both conventional and prepaid customers and include increases to monthly service charges as well as the cost of electricity units.

Residential customers face higher costs

For residential customers with conventional meters, a fixed monthly service charge of R246.58 will apply before any electricity is used. Electricity will cost R2.43 per unit for lower consumption, with the tariff increasing as more electricity is used. During the winter high-demand season, customers using more than 350 units will pay up to R4.53 per unit.

Prepaid customers will continue to pay a much lower monthly service charge of R27.48. The first 350 units purchased will cost R2.66 per unit, while any additional units will cost R2.99 per unit during the low-demand season and R4.57 per unit during the winter high-demand period.

Businesses also affected

Businesses are also affected by the tariff increases. Conventional business customers will pay a monthly service charge of R1,428.70, while prepaid business customers will pay R241.78. The unit cost of electricity varies depending on consumption and whether it is the low- or high-demand season, with winter tariffs being the highest.

NERSA calls for greater efficiency

While approving the tariff application, NERSA directed AbaQulusi Local Municipality to continue reducing electricity losses and improving the efficiency of its electricity network. The municipality has also been instructed to submit regular progress reports to the regulator.

The approved tariffs will remain in effect until June 30, 2027.

Residents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the new tariffs and factor the higher electricity costs into their household and business budgets.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.