Exactly six months to the day, the Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) announced a 13.61 per cent electricity tariff hike, the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) has announced it is planning to submit a new tariff application before the current year 2026.
The 13.61 per cent tariff hike was announced on February 10, 2026 by ESERA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sikhumbuzo Tsabedze during a media briefing at Mountain View Hotel in Mbabane. It came into effect on April 1, 2026, and the initially request applied by EEC was 20.67 per cent.
While EEC General Manager Customer Service James Mabundza did not give out figures, but he confirmed that the power utility will submit another tariff application though he stressed that the application should not automatically be interpreted as an immediate increase in electricity tariffs. 
Mabundza addressing Members of the Editor’s Forum at Sibanesami Hotel on Tuesday morning, said the planned application comes against the backdrop of a worsening financial performance over a seven-year period from 2020 to 2026, despite EEC’s revenue increasing substantially during the same period.
He said the tariff application comes at a time when the company is doing its best to contain its costs and address the financial pressures reflected in the latest performance figures which have forced it to implement measures aimed at cutting operational costs.
Mabundza said the new tariff application would be submitted to ESERA for consideration with the actual tariff proposal yet to be determined.
Presenting the financial performance over the seven-year period, EEC Acting Managing Director Mphumuzi Maziya said the company’s revenue increased from E2.50 billion in 2020 to a projected E3.30 billion in 2026.
“However, the profitability is just not there as we are living on overdrafts and paying interests that are on a high,” Maziya explained.
Maziya presented a short-term turn-around strategy initiatives which include operational efficiencies with focus on start to buy solar energy from embedded generators by August 1, 2026, and also complete Coal Mine preparatory work by October 2026.
“We also plan to optimize power trading by buying more affordable energy on Regional markets such as Southern Africa Power Tool, finish Ferreira canal by the end of June 2026 and adjust operating regime for hydro sets,” Maziya said.
He added: “We shall use models such as Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing (EPCF) to develop new baseload projects.
We will also develop manufacturing capacity for frequently utilised equipment/inventory such as Smart Meters and Conductors,”
