Government wants townships to use more electricity – and may give them one free unit for every unit bought
Informal settlements may get one free unit of electricity for every unit purchased in a bid to increase power usage and reduce air pollution in townships.
In its strategy to address air pollution in dense low-income settlements, published in the government gazette on Friday, the department said air pollution is costing the state up to R2 billion annually in health-related costs.
Wood, coal and paraffin burning causes massive pollution in South Africa’s townships. The department hopes households can be encouraged to use electricity instead by making it cheaper.
“One example could be a subsidy that gives the user one (1) unit of electricity for every unit purchased. Alternatively, a stepped tariff which provides indigent households with the first specific kWh of electricity per month for free and charge a stepped tari
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