Hidden costs in power outages #PowerCrisis
Boitshepo Majube | Tuesday March 11, 2014 17:05
In light of this, the president of BOCCIM, Lekwalo Mosienyane has challenged Botswana Power Corporation (BPC) non-compensatory policy.
Mosienyane said they want to meet BPC to discuss the matter. He explained in technical terms that when power constantly goes off and on due to power outages spiking might occur.
'Spiking consumes more electricity, leading to customers paying more than what they use,' he said, highlighting that it is the fault of the supplier not of the consumer, and stated that if it is due to power cuts, BPC should take responsibility for that and not hide behind policy.
Conversely, BPC CEO Jacob Raleru in a short telephonic interview with this publication stated that historically the corporation has not paid compensation, and for the corporation to start paying compensation they would have to discuss the policy issue within the organisation. 'There is no BPC policy framework that provides for compensation,' he stated.
Batswana across the country are counting their losses after the power blackout that this country is experiencing.
Hard hit are businesses that are now strategising on the new path going forward. Some of the strategies businesses are looking at include reducing the number of employees to cushion their losses.
In addition to spiking, business has lost millions of Pula’s as they were forced to close shop and throw away some of the rotting stock. Those that have back up power complain of the high fuel cost to keep the business operating.
Most businesses that are in manufacturing have decided to close and wait for the situation to normalise.
'Unfortunately we workers are suffering because of power blackout. For a week we have not been working, which means we will not get paid for those days,' said factory workers. They further highlighted that this is affecting their already troubled cashflow. “We have commitments that need to be honoured at the end of the month, and without working we cannot honour them,” they queried.
Mosienyane pointed out that the recent power outages are an inconvenience to the economy. 'These power outages are going to have a big impact on the ease of doing business in this country,' he said.
He said the private sector is ready to build power stations, as long as they are guarantees that they would be able to supply the national grid. 'The private sector is ready to build power stations, be it from coal or renewable energy sources,' he said