As winter looms, business and industrial electricity users are bracing for a "perfect storm" of winter price hikes coming into effect from June.
The imminent price hikes, however, signal good news for low energy consuming technologies, as companies race to offset their spiralling electricity costs and invest in sustainable and renewable energy alternatives, according to analysts.
First to hit consumer pockets is the anticipated implementation of Eskom's winter rates, which will see consumers paying more per kilowatt-hour for electricity usage between June and August.
"Consumers will see their energy bills going up in winter but it's not only because they are consuming more electricity, but also because they are paying more per kilowatt-hour," energy specialist Heather McEwan of sustainability company Rhino Group.
MUNICIPAL TARIFFS ADD FURTHER STRAIN:
In addition, the annual municipal electricity tariff increases would also come into effect in July, she said.
"Electricity bills will rise even further in July, when the annual increase kicks in on top of the winter prices. So, after August, when the winter rates fall away, consumers will still be paying more for electricity due to the annual escalation."
In February, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approved a maximum 2.2% electricity tariff increase by Eskom for the 2017/18 period, and recently capped municipal electricity tariff increases at 1.88%.
