This was revealed by President Mokgweetsi Masisi when speaking at the 300MW Thermal Power Station groundbreaking ceremony held at the Jindal Capricorn Camp here on Thursday.
"We are currently reviewing the connection fees with an intention of achieving zero connection costs," he said. Masisi added that this is part of the government's move for citizens to have access to electricity.
The government in 2022 reduced the electricity connection fees for households with an annual income of P2,500 and below by half, from P5,000 to P2,500. The move was aimed at reducing the electricity connection costs for lower income households while increasing access to electricity.
Masisi also said the current electrification programme stands at 66% and thus makes Botswana one of the leading countries in the region when it comes to access to electricity by households. He also said government will roll out the electrification programme in six more villages in the current financial year. "I am pleased to announce that 456 villages out of 565 gazetted villages have been electrified.
This translates to 81% village electrification level," Masisi said. The government in the current financial year is to roll out the electrification programme in six villages that include Lepashe, Setsile, Mokoswane, Khekenye, Betesankwe and Makgaba.
This is in addition to the 27 villages electrified in recent years. Jindal Steel and Power, India's leading infrastructure company, has been commissioned to build the billion pula power station.
The project is to be completed by December 2026 with an electricity roll out of the initial 300MW. This is to increase to 600MW thus making the power station the biggest in the country. Jindal Steel and Power's chairman, Naveen Jindal, said the 300MW Thermal Power Station will deliver sustainable source of power that will elevate homes and energise industries while empowering communities. He said the 600MW power project would come at a cost exceeding P20 billion and drive the country towards total independence on electricity powered products. "This project would not only make Botswana reliant in electricity but also it would reduce the diesel and petrol consumption.
The whole world is moving towards electricity vehicles, so when we produce electricity here, it will be available abundance in all the cities," Jindal said. "Then the people will move towards electricity vehicles thus will reduce the pollution (in the atmosphere)." Over 1,000 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the power station while the number is set to increase into permanent jobs at operational period. Jindal Steel and Power will contribute P10 million in the area development fund.
