Mmegi

Gov’t weighs options as tariffs become ‘unsustainable’

Under pressure: Local generation accounts for just under two-thirds of demand PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI
Under pressure: Local generation accounts for just under two-thirds of demand PIC: MBONGENI MGUNI

The Minerals and Energy ministry is reviewing a Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) tariff study which will chart the path to cost-reflective tariffs, as government says continuing to subsidise electricity is “increasingly unsustainable”.

Whilst consumers, particularly households, believe the cost of electricity is high, high local generation costs and escalating imports, mean the current tariffs are a fraction of the true cost paid by the Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

Government has thus been pouring in billions of pula over the years to plug the gap and restrain tariff adjustments from what they need to be to reach cost-reflective level.

Editor's Comment
Tana project a welcome development

Whilst the project received mixed reactions from members of the public, the project is indeed a welcome development, which needs to be implemented as soon as possible. Many shared their opinion, with those against the project decrying that if implemented, it will kill the already struggling public transport industry.Many countries around the world have state-run public transport, and those who have travelled to such countries will give testimony...

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