Johannesburg - High electricity tariffs are a major concern for consumers and businesses, President
Jacob Zuma acknowledged on Thursday, while encouraging South Africans to save more on electricity use.
"I have asked Eskom to seek options on how the price increase requirement may be reduced over the next few years, in support of economic growth and job creation and give me proposals for consideration," he said in his State of the Nation address.
"We need an electricity price path which will ensure that Eskom and the industry remain financially viable and sustainable, but which remains affordable especially for the poor."
But he urged more savings by everyone, calling for a "pact" on this and warning that until Eskom's new Medupi and Kusile power stations come into operation, the electricity system will be very tight.
"We should all play our part in order to avoid load shedding".
He said the government remained committed to increase renewable electricity use and to fulfill its Green Economy Accord.
The Government target is one million solar geysers by 2014-2015.