BERA Opens Public Consultation on Proposed 46 Percent Electricity Tariff Increase

BERA Opens Public Consultation on Proposed 46 Percent Electricity Tariff Increase. The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) has invited stakeholders and members of the public to submit comments on a proposed electricity tariff adjustment following an application by Botswana Power Corporation (BPC).

The application, submitted in December, relates to the 2026/27 financial year, which commences on 1 April 2026. BPC is seeking an average upward tariff adjustment of 46 percent, with no government subsidy proposed for the period under review.

According to BERA, BPC’s submission indicates that the corporation’s required revenue, assessed in line with BERA’s prescribed tariff methodology, amounts to P9.039 billion for the 2026/27 financial year. The authority stated that the proposed increase is driven primarily by persistent financial losses reported by the utility.

BPC has attributed these losses to several factors, including electricity tariffs that are not cost reflective, unreliable domestic generation capacity, and a heavy reliance on imported power. The corporation also cited rising input costs such as fuel, maintenance, and financing expenses as contributing pressures. In addition, delays in tariff adjustments prior to the 2025/26 financial year were identified as having compounded its financial challenges.

BERA noted that the proposed tariff adjustment would apply across the entire electricity value chain. This includes electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and the supply of power to end-users. The authority emphasised that the consultation process forms part of its regulatory mandate to ensure transparency and stakeholder participation in tariff determination.

Stakeholders, interested parties, and members of the public have been encouraged to review BPC’s application and submit written comments on the proposed tariff increase. Submissions must be made to BERA no later than 30 January 2026.

BERA stated that all inputs received during the consultation period will be considered as part of the tariff review process before a determination is made.