Overview

The Botswana Energy Regulatory Authority (BERA) is a statutory body established under the Botswana Energy Regulatory Act of 2016. It officially began operations on 1 September 2017 and serves as the independent regulator for the country’s energy sector.

BERA’s mandate is to ensure that Botswana’s energy supply is reliable, sustainable, and affordable while promoting competition and protecting consumer interests. It regulates multiple energy sources, including electricity, petroleum, gas, coal, and renewable energy.

Mandate and Functions
Core Objectives

BERA’s primary responsibilities include:

Ensuring the sustainable and secure supply of energy in Botswana.

Setting and maintaining service and safety standards across the energy sector.

Regulating tariffs and charges to ensure fairness and transparency.

Balancing the interests of consumers, licensees, and other stakeholders.

Promoting environmental protection and sustainable energy use.

Encouraging investment and development in the energy industry.

Specific Powers

Under its governing Act, BERA has the authority to:

Issue, renew, and revoke licenses and permits for entities operating in the energy sector.

Regulate access to energy networks and infrastructure, including pipelines and storage facilities.

Oversee and monitor the performance of licensees, focusing on reliability, quality, efficiency, and investment levels.

Set tariff methodologies and approve pricing structures for electricity and fuel.

Develop and enforce standards for renewable energy projects.

Handle consumer complaints and resolve disputes between energy providers and consumers.

Advise the government on energy policy, planning, and reform initiatives.

Sectors Regulated

BERA’s regulatory scope covers the following areas:

Electricity: Generation, transmission, and distribution.

Petroleum: Importation, storage, distribution, and retail of petroleum products.

Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Licensing, safety, and pricing regulation.

Coal: Oversight of supply agreements related to power generation.

Natural Gas: Regulation of gas storage, pipelines, and distribution networks.

Renewable Energy: Oversight of solar, wind, and other clean energy initiatives, including rooftop solar installations.

Governance Structure

BERA is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister responsible for energy. The Board oversees policy implementation, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning.

The Authority’s Chief Executive Officer leads daily operations and ensures the effective execution of the Board’s decisions. The leadership team comprises experts from engineering, law, economics, and energy policy backgrounds.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

BERA operates under the Botswana Energy Regulatory Act of 2016, supported by subsidiary legislation such as:

Complaints Settlement Procedure Regulations

Licensing and Compliance Regulations

Wholesale, Retail, and Consumer Installation Operations Regulations (2018)

These laws define licensing procedures, consumer protection measures, dispute resolution processes, and enforcement mechanisms.

Consumers must first attempt to resolve disputes with their energy provider before escalating issues to BERA. The Authority can mediate, hold hearings, and, if necessary, impose penalties or refer cases to higher courts.

Key Challenges and Activities

BERA faces several ongoing challenges:

Balancing affordable tariffs with cost recovery for energy suppliers.

Encouraging private-sector investment in renewable energy and infrastructure.

Ensuring energy security in a growing economy.

Promoting environmental sustainability in line with national development goals.

BERA also plays a key role in advancing Botswana’s renewable energy agenda, including licensing solar power projects and encouraging local energy generation to reduce dependence on imports.

Collaboration and Partnerships

BERA collaborates with national and international bodies to enhance its regulatory capacity. Locally, it works with agencies such as the Competition and Consumer Authority to ensure fair market practices. It also engages with regional energy regulators to harmonize standards and encourage cross-border energy trade.

Contact Information

Address: Plot 1156, Khama 1 Avenue, Botswana Geoscience Institute Offices, Lobatse, Botswana
Telephone: +267 533 0932
Toll-Free: 0800 00 2372
Email: info@bera.co.bw

Website: www.bera.co.bw