South Africa’s spiralling electricity prices are “untenable” as they are pricing the poor and middle class out of the market, says Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.

Speaking at a media briefing on the country’s energy outlook on Monday, July 9, he expressed concern over the increasing unaffordability of electricity despite Eskom’s 100-day halt on load-shedding.

Ramokgopa added that the surge in electricity prices was an unsustainable situation faced by numerous countries, including developed nations, worldwide. “The current pricing structure of electricity excludes the poor. Even the lower-middle class, including public servants, cannot afford the cost of electricity in this country,” he said.

He also highlighted that municipalities are under severe strain, unable to adequately invest in distribution infrastructure, which has led to load reduction despite Eskom’s improved generation capacity.

“There is little to no investment in replenishing maintenance, upkeep, protection, and modernisation of this infrastructure,” Ramokgopa said.

If the government does not step in urgently to address this ageing, compromised, and inadequate grid infrastructure, we face a serious crisis, says Vally Padayachee, an energy expert and former Eskom Executive Manager. For more on this story, click here.