National Energy Regulator Of South Africa Initiates Public Process To Redetermine City Power Tariffs After Court Ruling

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has started a public participation process to review and redetermine electricity tariffs for City Power (SOC) Ltd for the 2024/25 financial year. This step comes after a major legal development on January 14, 2026, when the High Court of South Africa set aside the previously approved tariffs for the municipal utility.

The court directed City Power to submit a fresh and compliant tariff application along with a detailed cost of supply study. It also instructed the regulator to complete the tariff redetermination process by June 30, 2026. Following this order, NERSA has published the new tariff application and supporting documents on its official platforms to ensure transparency and allow public review.

As part of this process, stakeholders and members of the public have been invited to share their views. NERSA is currently accepting written comments, which must be submitted via email by April 22, 2026. This step is aimed at gathering feedback from all affected parties, including consumers, businesses, and industry representatives.

After receiving the public comments, City Power will be given time until May 3, 2026, to respond to the issues raised. This exchange is expected to help clarify concerns and provide additional information before the final evaluation stage.

A public hearing has also been scheduled as an important part of the consultation process. The hearing will take place virtually on May 20, 2026, through Microsoft Teams. Individuals or organizations who wish to present their views during the hearing must submit a request by May 11, 2026. This will allow selected participants to share their opinions directly with the regulator.

The final decision on the revised tariffs will be reviewed by NERSA’s Regulator Executive Committee on June 9, 2026. The committee will consider both the written submissions and the oral presentations made during the public hearing before making its decision.

NERSA is expected to communicate the final outcome, along with detailed reasons for the decision, to the municipality and other key stakeholders by June 18, 2026. This will provide clarity on how the tariffs were determined and ensure accountability in the process.

Through this structured timeline, NERSA aims to comply with the court’s directive while ensuring that the tariff-setting process remains fair, transparent, and inclusive for all stakeholders involved.