Free basic electricity under review as government plans wider rollout

By Thebe Mabanga

Government is reviewing the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme, with plans to increase the current allocation of 50kWh per household per month and extend access to more qualifying households.

Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa revealed the plans in a written reply to a parliamentary question on Wednesday, noting that the programme — introduced more than two decades ago — no longer reflects current household energy needs.

Ramokgopa said consumption patterns among poor and indigent households have evolved over the past 23 years, with more households now owning electrical appliances, necessitating a revision of the allocation.

Consultations are currently underway to determine an appropriate new threshold.

He added that government aims to expand the programme without placing additional strain on the fiscus through higher budget allocations or steep tariff increases for paying consumers, a balance that remains difficult to achieve.

To contain costs, government is exploring changes to the