With generation issues largely addressed and loadshedding suspended, Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is turning his attention to the pressing matter of electricity pricing.

The minister addressed the media on July 29 to outline the ministry’s strategy for tackling escalating electricity costs.

The ministry’s mandate revolves around three core aspects: availability, access and affordability of electricity. As improvements in electricity availability and suspension of loadshedding mark progress, the ministry is now focusing on addressing the critical issues of access and distribution along with affordability, he said.

“The cost of electricity has surged exponentially. We are working on implementing a revised pricing plan, which is our primary focus at this stage in conjunction with Eskom, municipalities and the South African Local Government Association,” Ramokgopa said.

The minister noted that certain municipal initiatives, such as City Power’s R200 network fee, were not well received by the public. “We don’t want to engage publicly on the merits of whether the R200 surcharge is necessary or not. We want to find a more enduring and robust solution to this problem.”

Chris Yelland, Managing Director of EE Business Intelligence, told Energize: “With generation no longer a critical issue, problems related to distribution, affordability and maintenance have become more evident. These challenges are exacerbated by South Africa’s increasing population and migration into major cities”.

Yelland pointed out that South African municipalities are struggling with limited resources and inadequate infrastructure. “Distribution networks require significant upgrades and maintenance and there is a pressing need to expand capacity to meet the demands of a growing population. The Minister of Electricity has successfully addressed generation and loadshedding and is now tackling the next crucial challenge, which is commendable.”