Impoverished households in South Africa could soon receive up to 150 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of free electricity per month.
The current Free Basic Electricity (FBE) allocation stands at 50 kWh per month. However, Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told Parliament that the department is evaluating options to expand the programme and provide greater support to low-income and vulnerable households.
Speaking to VOC News, energy expert Chris Yelland said the existing 50 kWh allocation is “very little” and does not meaningfully achieve the programme’s objective of alleviating poverty.
“To make matters worse, around 80% of the funds allocated by the National Treasury to municipalities for free basic electricity never reach the poor and are effectively misappropriated by municipalities,” Yelland said.
*Listen to full interview here.
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