History and challenges of free basic electricity

The paper sketches the history of the development and implementation of free basic electricity in South Africa. It covers the promises made by politicians, the establishment and work of the Electricity Basic Services Support Tariff (EBSST) Task Team. The paper discusses the challenges of the continued provision of free basic electricity (FBE) with tariff increase restrictions (imposed by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa)for those consumers who receive FBE, in a climate of general tariff increases in the order of 25% per annum, and the drive for energy efficiency.