JB Marks Local Municipality Electricity Tariffs (Effective 1 July 2025)
- Karen Scheepers
- 15 hours ago
- 5 min read
Overview of Tariff Changes (2025/26 vs 2024/25)
Effective 1 July 2025, JB Marks Local Municipality implemented new electricity tariffs for the 2025/26 financial year, with an average increase of approximately 12.7% across all consumer categories. This increase, approved by NERSA, applies to residential, commercial, and industrial tariffs.
By comparison, the previous year (2024/25) saw a roughly 15% hike, and the 2021/22 year had a steep 14.59% increase. The more moderate 12.7% rise for 2025/26 reflects the lower bulk purchase cost increases from Eskom this year (Eskom’s bulk tariffs to municipalities rose ~11.3% in 2025). All fixed charges, energy rates, and demand charges have been adjusted upward by about 12–13% from their 2024/25 levels.
Key Tariff Components:
JB Marks employs a combination of fixed charges and consumption-based charges. Most customer categories have a monthly basic charge (connection/service fee) plus charges per kWh of energy. Large power users also incur demand charges (per kVA) and may have time-differentiated rates.
The tables and sections below detail the full tariff structures for the main consumer groups, Residential, Commercial, and Industrial, and compare 2025/26 rates with those of 2024/25, highlighting the percentage changes.
Note: All tariffs are quoted excluding 15% VAT. Also, JB Marks provides free basic electricity to registered indigent households (a limited amount of kWh each month at no charge, typically 50–80 kWh) as part of its lifeline policy, which continues in 2025/26.
JB Marks Electricity Tariffs 2024/25 vs 2025/26
Category | 2024/25 Tariff (excl. VAT) | 2025/26 Tariff (excl. VAT) |
Residential (Block 1: 0–50 kWh) | 179.5 c/kWh | 202.3 c/kWh |
Residential (Block 2: 51–350 kWh) | 229.5 c/kWh | 258.5 c/kWh |
Residential (Block 3: 351–600 kWh) | 324.0 c/kWh | 365.0 c/kWh |
Residential (Block 4: >600 kWh) | 381.0 c/kWh | 429.4 c/kWh |
Small Business (Fixed Charge) | R405/month | R456/month |
Small Business (Fixed Charge) | 200c/kWh | 226 c/kWh |
Industrial Low Voltage (Fixed Charge) | R1,640/month | R1,850/month |
Industrial Low Voltage (Demand Charge) | R390 /kVA | R440/kVA |
Industrial Low Voltage (Summer Energy Rate) | 305 c/kWh | 344 c/kWh |
Industrial Low Voltage (Winter Energy Rate) | 311 c/kWh | 351 c/kWh |
TOU Winter Peak Energy | 610 c/kWh | 687 c/kWh |
TOU Summer Peak Energy | 236.6 c/kWh | 267 c/kWh |
TOU Summer Off-Peak Energy | 113.3 c/kWh | 128 c/kWh |
Above is a detailed comparison of the JB Marks Municipality electricity tariffs for the 2024/25 and 2025/26 financial years, presented in a table format. This breakdown includes residential, small business, and industrial/commercial tariff categories and highlights both the previous and the updated rates (excluding VAT).
📌 Key Insights
Residential Tariffs: Across all usage blocks, the rates have increased, with Block 4 (usage over 600 kWh) seeing a rise from 381.0 c/kWh to 429.4 c/kWh.
Small Businesses: The fixed monthly charge increased from R405 to R456, and the energy rate moved from 200 to 226 c/kWh.
Industrial Tariffs: All components including fixed charges, demand charges, and seasonal energy rates have risen, with peak Time-of-Use (TOU) winter energy jumping from 610 to 687 c/kWh.
🔌 Prepaid Residential Electricity Tariffs (Excl. VAT)
Block | Usage Range (kWh) | 2024/25 Tariff | 2025/26 Tariff |
Block 1 | 0–50 | 179.5 c/kWh | 202.3 c/kWh |
Block 2 | 51–350 | 229.5 c/kWh | 258.5 c/kWh |
Block 3 | 351–600 | 324.0 c/kWh | 365.0 c/kWh |
Block 4 | >600 | 381.0 c/kWh | 429.4 c/kWh |
Note: These rates are based on the Inclining Block Tariff (IBT) structure, where the cost per kWh increases with higher consumption levels.
💡 Free Basic Electricity (FBE)
Financial Year | FBE Allocation | Compensation Rate to Eskom |
2024/25 | 50 kWh/month | 194.40 c/kWh |
2025/26 | 50 kWh/month | 216.28 c/kWh |
Note: FBE is provided to qualifying indigent households. The compensation rate is the amount municipalities are reimbursed by the national government for providing these free units.
📌 Summary
Tariff Increases: All prepaid blocks have seen an approximate 12.7% increase from the 2024/25 to 2025/26 financial years.
FBE Allocation: Remains at 50 kWh per month for qualifying households.
Compensation Rate: The rate at which municipalities are compensated for FBE has increased, reflecting adjustments for inflation and cost of supply.businesstech.co.za
For more detailed information or specific queries, residents are encouraged to contact the JB Marks Local Municipality directly or visit their official website.
Summary of Increases and Notable Changes
Uniform Increase:
All consumer categories, residential, commercial, industrial, saw roughly a 12.7% increase in electricity charges effective 1 July 2025. This applies to energy rates, basic connection charges, demand charges, and most miscellaneous fees. The increase is slightly lower than the previous year’s (~15%) and much lower than some earlier hikes (e.g. 14.59% in 2021/22) nw.da.org.za, due to lower Eskom wholesale increases in 2025.
Residential IBT:
The inclining block structure for home users remains in place. No new blocks were added; the prices per block are higher by 12–13%. The free basic electricity allowance for indigent households continues (unchanged in quantity).
Fixed Charges:
Monthly fixed charges (service charges) increased proportionally. There were no structural changes such as introducing new fixed daily fees in 2025, the tariff design remains consistent (e.g., prepaid users still largely pay via energy rates only, while post-paid users pay a service fee plus energy). All fixed fees went up ~12.7%.
Time-of-Use and Seasonal Rates:
These remain available for large customers. The differential between winter and summer rates, and peak vs off-peak, is as high as ever (winter-peak energy costs ~3× the base rate). The absolute values of those TOU rates are higher in 2025/26 (e.g. winter peak ~687 c/kWh, up ~12% from ~610 c/kWh previously) This continues to put cost pressure on large users in winter months, a point of concern noted in the past when JB Marks had winter tariffs 146% higher than summer.
Connection and Reconnection Fees:
The schedule of one-time charges (like new connection fees, meter installation fees, and reconnection fees for non-payment) was also updated. These fees typically saw the same percentage increase. For example, if the fee to reconnect power after disconnection was, say, R600 in 2024/25, it would be roughly R676 in 2025/26 after a 12.7% increase. (The exact reconnection charge is specified in the tariff schedule; all such charges were adjusted upward in line with the overall tariff hike.)
In summary, effective 1 July 2025 JB Marks Local Municipality’s electricity tariffs for all customer classes increased by about 12.7%. The tariff structures themselves (blocks, time-of-use periods, fixed vs variable components) remain the same as before, as defined in the official tariff schedule. Residents face higher prices per kWh in each block; businesses and industries likewise see higher demand charges and energy rates.
These changes were formally approved by NERSA and published by the municipality through council budget documents and public notices. Consumers in JB Marks should budget for roughly a 12–13% higher electricity bill compared to last year, assuming similar consumption levels, with the largest impacts felt during high consumption periods and winter peak times.
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