ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
KZN MUNICIPALITIES COLLABORATE ON SUSTAINABLE ELECTRICITY TARIFFS
Efforts to implement cost-reflective electricity tariffs gained momentum as municipalities across KwaZulu-Natal convened to explore sustainable pricing models and strengthen financial and operational performance.
The two-day Electricity Cost-Reflective Tariff Summit, held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on 16 and 17 March, was hosted by the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in partnership with eThekwini Municipality’s Municipal Institute of Learning.
The summit brought urgent focus to the mounting pressures facing municipalities as rising bulk electricity costs continue to strain systems.
These challenges are further compounded by ageing and unreliable infrastructure, increasing non‑technical losses, affordability challenges, and strict regulatory requirements, all of which threaten the sustainability of electricity delivery across the province.
More than 20 municipalities joined experts from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, Eskom, and National and Provincial Treasury for practical, solutions‑driven discussions aimed at creating fair, sustainable electricity tariff structures.
The conference provided a platform for honest engagement, shared learning, and collective problem‑solving designed to strengthen municipal systems while protecting communities.
Director of the eThekwini Municipal Academy Professor Mpilo Ngubane said the summit marked a turning point for KwaZulu‑Natal’s electricity landscape.
“This collective effort opens the door to practical solutions that can stabilise electricity services, strengthen infrastructure, and improve revenue management,” he said.
He added that the summit is a starting point for building electricity systems that are fair, sustainable, and responsive to the real needs of communities.
The engagement paved the way for deeper discussions on tariff modelling, understanding cost drivers, reducing technical and non‑technical losses, meeting regulatory expectations, and improving long‑term planning.
Delegates explored methods, tools, and strategies to support financially stable electricity departments while safeguarding vulnerable households and ensuring essential services remain accessible.
KZN COGTA Monitoring and Evaluation Director Mpume Majola emphasised the importance of balancing affordability with sustainability.
“This summit was necessary to look at all factors influencing electricity costs and the tariffs that will be implemented versus affordability,” she said.
She added that the engagement should ensure that tariffs do not put more strain on communities while allowing municipalities to generate the revenue needed to deliver services.
“With high unemployment and socio‑economic pressures, municipalities must be capacitated to make balanced and sustainable decisions,” said Majola.
There was an urgent call for stronger collaboration between energy experts, municipalities, and COGTA to reinforce governance, build capacity, and drive a unified approach to stabilising the electricity sector.
This partnership is essential to ensuring a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity future for all communities.
ENDS
Issued by eThekwini Municipality’s Marketing and Communications Directorate
