Electricity
Electricity is a form of energy resulting from the flow of electric charge, widely used for power generation, transmission and distribution to industrial, commercial and residential consumers. It is a fundamental utility that underpins modern economies, enabling manufacturing, transport, communications, healthcare and domestic activities. Electricity is generated from diverse sources including coal, natural gas, nuclear fission, hydropower, wind, solar photovoltaic panels and other renewables. The electricity industry encompasses generation companies, transmission system operators, distribution networks and retail suppliers, often operating under regulatory frameworks that balance investment, reliability and affordability. In many African markets, state-owned utilities dominate generation and distribution, though independent power producers and private participation are growing. Electricity supply reliability is a critical economic indicator; shortages and loadshedding can constrain growth, disrupt production and raise costs. Demand for electricity in sub-Saharan Africa is rising with urbanisation, industrialisation and expanding access, yet generation capacity and grid infrastructure often lag behind need. Tariff structures, cost-reflective pricing and subsidy reform remain contentious policy issues across the continent. The transition to lower-carbon electricity generation is reshaping investment, regulation and technology choices worldwide. Electricity markets vary from vertically integrated monopolies to unbundled, competitive structures with wholesale trading and retail choice.
Electricity Updates
Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber sounds alarm on 11% electricity tariff hike
By: Irma Venter 9th June 2026 The Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) Business Chamber is “very concerned” about the 11% average increase in electricity tariffs proposed by the metro... →
South Africa must continue to pursue reform programme to maintain stability – BLSA
By: Tasneem Bulbulia 1st June 2026 The decision by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) last week to hike interest rates by 25 basis points in response to rising global inflation is... →
South Africa set to run coal stations longer as gas projects lag
By: Bloomberg 28th May 2026 South Africa is poised to delay the retirement of about a fifth of its coal-fired electricity-generation capacity as gas projects earmarked to... →
Morreira offers insider account of Eskom career in new book My Eskom Voyage
26th May 2026 A new book by former Eskom executive Ian Morreira provides a rare insider perspective on the workings of South Africa’s power utility, drawing on... →
Risks to reform
By: Terence Creamer 22nd May 2026 The economic reform agenda has emerged as the defining feature of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency, especially the reforms under way to open... →
Moody's sees South Africa debt stabilising as reforms boost outlook 
By: Reuters 7th May 2026 South Africa's improving fiscal performance and reform momentum should help government debt stabilise this year before gradually declining, Moody's... →
Eskom reports progress in dialogue with some municipalities struggling to settle debt
By: Schalk Burger 6th May 2026 State-owned power utility Eskom says notable progress has been achieved as a result of the ongoing dialogue since March with 14 municipalities that... →
BLSA Reform Tracker shows progress, but some institutional reforms are lagging
By: Schalk Burger 28th April 2026 The Reform Tracker of business organisation Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) shows that central government reforms are generally... →
From energy crisis to energy security: Actions for policy makers
28th April 2026 The present energy crisis stemming from the conflict in the Middle East re-iterates the inherent structural weakness and vulnerability of national... →
From energy crisis to energy security: Actions for policy makers
14th April 2026 The present energy crisis stemming from the conflict in the Middle East re-iterates the inherent structural weakness and vulnerability of national... →
