Eskom is reshaping how it charges customers as electricity sales decline, with a growing focus on fixed network fees that apply even when households buy little or no electricity from the utility.
The power utility said it intends to retain revenue from customers who generate their own electricity or buy power elsewhere through network charges, wheeling fees and revised tariff structures.
The approach comes as Eskom reports falling sales volumes and surplus generation capacity.
Fixed charges to play bigger role
Eskom recorded a 6.2% decline in electricity sales volumes, while improved generation availability created an estimated 2GW to 3GW of surplus capacity.
Chief financial officer Calib Cassim said the utility is now trying to turn unused capacity into revenue.
One measure has been a preferential electricity tariff for large industrial smelters, set at R0.62 per kilowatt-hour.
Eskom said this helped it use coal already committed under take-or-pay contracts instead of leaving the fuel unused.
The utility is also testing other ways to stimulate demand, including a Bitcoin-mining pilot and customer wheeling.
Its target is to stabilise sales at 178TWh over the next five years.
Solar households face higher monthly fees
For residential customers, Eskom has been gradually separating electricity consumption charges from the cost of maintaining access to the grid.
Under its planned 2027/28 tariff structure, fixed charges for Eskom Direct customers will rise again.
Customers on the Homepower 4 tariff are expected to pay about R670 a month from 1 April 2027 before using any electricity.
These charges have a bigger impact on households with low electricity consumption, including those using rooftop solar systems.
Eskom is implementing the new fixed-fee structure over three years, with the full amount expected to apply next year.
Solar registration dispute continues
Eskom also previously pushed residential solar customers to register their rooftop systems before a planned September deadline.
The utility had waived administrative and hardware costs that can total around R9,000 to R10,000.
After a dispute with OUTA, Eskom said it would not fine residential customers or disconnect their electricity solely because their solar systems had not been registered.
OUTA energy adviser Chris Yelland argued that behind-the-meter installations do not fall under the registration requirements Eskom had cited.
The shift toward fixed charges means customers who reduce their reliance on Eskom could still face substantial monthly costs for remaining connected to the grid.