02 Feb 2022

Government  on Tuesday announced an electricity standard connection fee of P2 500 for low-income households and a 10 thebe National Electricity Fund (NEF) levy.

Briefing the media in Gaborone, Minister of Mineral Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security, Mr Lefoko Moagi said the P5 000 connection fee has been halved for low-income earners with effect from Tuesday.

It would be maintained for middle and high income households, he explained.

Minister Moagi noted that significant milestones had been achieved in improving access to electricity, including electrification of 450 out of 565 gazetted villages and connection of 470 762 households out of a total of 730 405.

However, despite the achievements, fewer rural households had connected to the grid which was of great concern to  both government and the public, he said..

The challenge, Mr Moagi said,  continued to persist despite the introduction of the P5 000 fee and NEF five thebe levy aimed at reducing the cost of household connection ranging from P11 000 to P110 000.

He informed his audience that the ministry conducted an assessment to establish the root cause of the low uptake and concluded that high wiring expenses and unaffordability of the subsidised connection fee for low income households were the major impediments.

Mr Moagi said the connection fee had therefore been reduced for households with a monthly income of less than P2 400.

The households would be supplied with a ready box where premises were not wired, he explained.

The minister stated that applicants without a monthly income were required to submit an affidavit from a commissioner of oaths while those with a monthly income of up to P2 400 should submit pay slips and confirmation of employment.

Mr Moagi said Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) would inspect the house and thereafter facilitate connection.

“Please note that only applications that were not paid for prior to today will be covered by this new arrangement and the current payment terms will still apply,” he said.

On the NEF levy,  the minister said it had been increased from five to 10 thebe per kWh.

Mr Moagi said BPC would continue to adhere to the National Electricity Fund Order and remit the 10 thebe levy collections to the fund on a monthly basis. Ends