Parliament Demands Better Performance From Eskom
The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy has set new accountability measures to address systemic sector challenges.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Utilities
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South Africa's Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy has called for urgent performance improvements from Eskom and the national electricity department. The directive follows concerns over declining electricity volumes and significant revenue losses within the utility sector.
Why it matters
Issues such as municipal debt, widespread electricity theft, and irregular expenditure represent a direct threat to the long-term sustainability of the national power grid. Strengthening oversight is seen as a vital step to stabilise operations and protect public resources.
Electricity volumes have fallen by 6.2 percent to 178 Terra Watthours, while electricity theft now accounts for R29 billion in lost revenue. These figures sit against an 80 percent performance benchmark cited in the committee report.
The players
Eskom
This state-owned enterprise is the primary provider of electricity in South Africa and manages the majority of the national power generation and distribution infrastructure.
Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy
This parliamentary body is tasked with the legislative oversight of the electricity and energy sector to ensure accountability and monitor the implementation of national energy policy.
The details
The committee is pushing for the finalisation of the Integrated Energy Plan and the Gas Master Plan to provide a clearer framework for the sector. Efforts to curb losses will rely on improved municipal debt management and stricter enforcement against illegal electricity connections.
Timeline
The committee requires progress reports on all recommendations by March 2027.
The official review of the Integrated National Electrification Programme is set for completion by March 2027.
Market Landscape
This move represents a broader effort to shift the national electricity sector away from reliance on legacy systems and toward formalised strategic planning. By prioritising the Integrated Energy Plan, the government aims to tighten control over municipal utility operations and reduce systemic financial risk.
The push for stricter debt collection and enforcement against electricity theft could lead to more consistent service delivery for compliant consumers. Residents may see changes in how municipal arrears are handled as the government attempts to recover lost utility revenue.
The takeaway
Maintaining the national power supply requires a dual focus on infrastructure investment and the aggressive reduction of non-technical losses. Ensuring utility sustainability will likely depend on the successful implementation of the committee's oversight and debt management mandates.
What happens next
The committee expects the completion of the Integrated National Electrification Programme review and the submission of comprehensive progress reports regarding its recommendations by March 2027.
Further reading
For more information on current energy sector regulations, view the Utilities section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Parliament.
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