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Delivering his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, Zuam acknowledged the concerns expressed by businesses and communities about high electricity costs.

“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.

Zuma said the country needed an electricity price path that would ensure that Eskom and the industry remain financially viable and sustainable, but which remains affordable especially for the poor.

“However to achieve sustainability, a pact will be required with all South Africans – including business, labour, municipalities, communities and all customers and suppliers,”  he said.

Zuma said that everybody must save electricity for the next two years, until the Medupi and Kusile power stations come into operation and all should play our a part to avoid load shedding.

“To increase energy capacity we will continue searching for renewable energy sources, especially solar electricity and biofuels as we implement the Green Economy Accord with economic stakeholders,” Zuma said.