Business Botswana and BERA Engage on Electricity Tariff Adjustment

Business Botswana in collaboration with the Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA), convened a stakeholders engagement session to provide businesses with greater clarity on the recent electricity tariff adjustments and their practical implications. Diverse sectors were represented including; Manufacturing, Mining, Tourism, AgroProcessing etc.

Welcoming stakeholders, BERA CEO Dr Never Tshabang, reaffirmed the Authority's commitment to transparent, fair and sustainable regulation, encouraging businesses to engage openly and share their concerns. He buttressed their mandate as a regulator for balanced tariffs that ensure the viability of both Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) and the private sector.

 

Speaking on behalf of the private sector, Business Botswana CEO Ms Tumi Mbaakanyi, thanked BERA for acceding to Business Botswana's request to convene the engagement following concerns raised by businesses over the recent tariff adjustments. She stated

“This engagement is not necessarily about revisiting the tariff decision. It is a meeting of minds to ensure alignment. It is about strengthening understanding, listening to business experiences and ensuring that implementation is not only effective but informed by meaningful evidence-based dialogue"

 

Discussions focused on the transition from billing maximum demand in kW to kVA, billing calculations, power factor correction etc. Businesses engaged directly with BERA for clarity. In addition, suggestions were shared on an optimal way forward for a balanced result that keeps businesses viable and able to continue creating and retaining decent jobs.

 

Business Botswana remains committed to fostering constructive dialogue that supports a predictable, transparent and enabling business environment.