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
The City Of Johannesburg Is Stabilising – Third-quarter Results Show Measurable Progress, Honest Accountability And A Credible Turnaround Plan
3rd July 2026 The City of Johannesburg has noted recent media reports portraying the City's third- quarter financial performance as evidence of a municipality in... →
The City’s Annual Tariff Hikes Come Into Effect, Placing Residents Under Financial Strain
1st July 2026 Today, residents of the City of Johannesburg wake up to the reality of above-inflation tariff increases coming into effect on 1 July 2026. This... →
The City’s Annual Tariff Hikes Come Into Effect, Placing Residents Under Financial Strain
1st July 2026 Today, residents of the City of Johannesburg wake up to the reality of above-inflation tariff increases coming into effect on 1 July 2026. This... →
Johannesburg has taken a big new loan to help fix its electricity problems, but the results will take time
29th June 2026 Just over a third (38%) of the residents of South Africa’s commercial capital, Johannesburg, reported being satisfied with their electricity... →
Ekurhuleni budget passed after major ANC concessions 
By: Thabi Shomolekae 23rd June 2026 The DA used its voting leverage to force major budgetary concessions from the ANC in Ekurhuleni after three failed budget votes threatened a... →
Policy follow-through needed to ensure electricity reforms are ‘not in name only’
By: Terence Creamer 22nd June 2026 Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) CEO Busisiwe Mavuso has called for policy follow-through to ensure that the restructuring under way in the... →
Demand for electricity to outpace economic growth and reshape investment
By: Schalk Burger 19th June 2026 Global electricity demand is set to outpace economic growth as part of a broader trend up to 2030, with electricity consumption projected to grow... →
Ramokgopa urges Africa to turn cross-border power plans into bankable projects
By: Mariaan Webb 17th June 2026 Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has called for Africa to accelerate the implementation of cross-border electricity... →
City of Joburg not sharing how it will deal with Eskom interruption threat - JCA
By: Schalk Burger 15th June 2026 Civil society organisation the Johannesburg Crisis Alliance (JCA) says the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) has not provided information to residents and... →
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... →
