Vincent Maposa’s Post

Adelaide's electricity dilemma: Why residents pay the most despite renewable abundance   Research by Energyse confirms what many South Australians already know: they're paying the nation's highest electricity prices. This is a troubling paradox, especially considering the state's leadership in renewable energy—a power source meant to be both cheap and plentiful.   Stories like Angela's, featured in this Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) article, highlight this issue. Energy tariffs, designed for a fossil fuel-dominated grid, are a key culprit. Current time-of-use tariffs encourage overnight energy consumption with lower prices, then penalise daytime use with peak rates—precisely when cheap renewable energy floods the grid.   When Angela was switched to a time-of-use tariff without clear guidance, she did what most Aussies would do: "I [didn’t do] anything differently," leading to a surprise bill shock. This underscores the need for better consumer education around energy habits and tariff designs that align with renewable energy variability.   Premier Peter Malinauskas has done tremendous work positioning South Australia as a renewable energy powerhouse. The next step is a collaborative effort between the government and energy solution providers like EnergyFlex to give consumers the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in this new energy landscape. The key to unlocking the benefits of renewable energy lies in adapting energy habits to use more energy when renewables are abundant and less when they’re not, and incentivising this behaviour.   EnergyFlex can help consumers navigate this journey. Our FREE tool empowers households and businesses to change their energy habits, significantly reducing both costs and their carbon footprint. If anyone knows Angela, please put us in touch; we'd love to help her reduce her bills! 👉 See the Energyse research here: https://lnkd.in/gb4Sw3DZ 👉 Learn more about EnergyFlex at www.energyflex.com.au. CC: Louis Fredheim, James Wakelin, Energy Consumers Australia. #RenewablesReady #EnergyFlexibility #EnergyTariffs

As we approach the halfway mark of the year, we’re preparing for ESKOM’s annual tariff increase. On 2 April 2024, ESKOM announced that they would be implementing a tariff hike starting 1 July 2024, along with municipal increases from the same date. This decision followed the determination of increases by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) in December 2023. 👉 To read more - click on the link below. #MidCityUtilities #MidCityPropertyGroup #SmartMetering #ElectricityManagement #TariffHike

The Daily Maverick have reported that Eskom will ask SA’s energy regulator for an electricity tariff increase of 36.15% in 2025 for customers it directly charges and supplies. Customers relying on electricity supply from local authorities (municipalities) could also be slapped with an increase of 43.55%. https://lnkd.in/d_SGzmx6 While South African authorities have reduced loadshedding, they have introduced, "load reduction" a euphemism with the same outcome as the prior position. While there is this distraction, there is no doubt that there is a path of extraneous cost factors ahead without a sustainable energy source not linked to tariffs. The ReCharge Solar Rental solutions cater specifically for these variables to give assurances to business owners on their continuous power supply and cost management. Have a look at https://lnkd.in/djExmU49 and see how we can help your business...

Read the latest article from MidCity Utilities (Pty) Ltd.

 Amid a major drop in demand, public sector power companies have sought a 57 paise per unit negative fuel price adjustment (FCA) in electricity bills to refund Rs7.2 billion overcharged to consumers last month. This will be the second month in a row that FCAs remain negative, mainly because of robust fuel allowances allowed by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) through a 20pc increase in base tariff effeetive from July 1 to June 30, 2025. Almost 79pc of the total power supply during the month flowed from domestic fuel sources, more than half at zero fuel cost. Last month, the regulator had approved a 37 paise per unit negative FCA adjustment for consumption in July. However, since the FCA is only for one month, the 37 paise relief would be replaced by 57 paise with Nepra`s approval. The effective cut would thuswork out to be about 20 paise per unit or about Rs1.2bn because negative FCA is not applicable to consumers with low consumption. The Nepra has called a public hearing on Sept 26 to take up a petition filed by the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) a subsidiary of the power division seeking `a decrease of Rs0.5755/kwh over the reference fuel charge... Rs9.3877 per unit`. The CPPA said the power companies had charged Rs9.39 per unit fuel cost last month, which actually turned out to be Rs8.81 per unit. The CPPA, acting as commercial agent for Discos, proposed through a petition that 57 paise per unit negative FCA should be adjusted to consumers in the billing month of October for electricity consumed in August. It claimed the reference fuel cost for August was set at Rs9.39 per unit, but the actual cost turned out to be Rs8.81 per unit. It said 13,179 gigawatt hour (GWh) electricity was generated at an estimated fuel expenditure of Rs98.7bn (Rs7.49 per unit) inAugust, of which 12,752 GWh energy was delivered to Discos at a cost of Rs112.4bn (at Rs8.81 per unit). The data showed a major fall in power consumption, apparently due to record tariffs and shrinking purchasing power of consumers. The consumption in August was 18pc lower than the same month (15,472Gwh) of last year. The per unit fuel cost in August last year was reported at Rs8.40 per unit against Rs9.39 this year. Biggest contributor The biggest contributor to the total power supply came from hydroelectricity at 40pc, compared to its 37pc share last year. Hydropower has no fuel cost. The second biggest share in the national grid came from nuclear power at 16.6pc, followed by LNG`s share of 16pc. The supply from coal-based generation amounted to 15pc of the total, which included local coal share of 9.9pc and imported coal at 5.17pc. This was followed by 7.2pc contribution from local gas. The LNG-based power generation cost in August stood atRs25.76 per unit, followed by Rs15.82 per unit from imported coal and Rs13.38 per unit from local gas. https://lnkd.in/d3dXXjkk

Solar #MiniGrids can play a key role in advancing #EnergyAccess in #Africa. But this approach has yet to gain enough traction to make a substantial impact on #EnergyPoverty across the continent. In #SierraLeone, for instance, mini-grids serve just 0.6% of households. Tombo Banda, Lisa Kahuthu and Miriam A. share highlights from a recent CrossBoundary Group report on a one-year pilot program that tested the impact of lower electricity tariffs on customers. The findings could point to opportunities for greater scale in the industry: https://lnkd.in/e8fAeZeB #solar #SolarPower #SolarEnergy #SolarSector #SubSaharanAfrica #energy #RenewableEnergy #SustainableEnergy #EmergingMarkets

In this article, I wrote that at least 3 industry groups have objected to the planned increase in the electricity base tariff. They complain that the hike will add on to existing cost increases faced by businesses. Eventually, consumers will likely bear the impact as business pass the additional cost to consumers to avoid further margin compression. Meanwhile, Kenanga Research said some business sectors will be more affected than others due to the electricity tariff hike. "All else being equal, every 5% increase in the energy cost leads to about a 2% impact to earnings or lower. "Glove makers and seaports were relatively insulated compared with healthcare for the same percentage of change in the electricity cost," said Kenanga. So, how about residential users of electricity? Particularly, EV owners? Shahrol Halmi, president of the Malaysian Electric Vehicle Owners’ Club, told StarBiz that it remains to be seen how the rise in base tariff will affect the different tariff bands for domestic and commercial customers. “Any rise in electricity tariff will have varying impact to different groups of users - those who can charge at home and have rooftop solar will not be affected as much as folks who live in high-rise buildings and have to rely on public charging. “As things stand today the “breakeven” cost of charging the recently launched Proton e.Mas 7 EV is RM1.12/kWh when compared with the fuel consumption of its sibling, the Proton X70. “This means that the e.Mas 7’s owner will have savings over petrol, if their average charging cost is RM1.12/kWh or lower.” Read more at the link below:

Solar mini-grids offer a promising solution to energy poverty in Africa. But according to Tombo Banda and Lisa Kahuthu at CrossBoundary Group and Miriam A., this approach has yet to gain sufficient traction, due in part to the challenge of balancing operational sustainability with affordability. If customer tariffs are set too low, operators lack revenue — but if prices are set too high, mini-grid electricity isn’t accessible enough to drive widespread adoption. They share the results of a pilot program in Sierra Leone that tested the impact of lower prices on mini-grid operators and their customers, highlighting the implications for future efforts to implement tariff reduction at scale. https://lnkd.in/e8fAeZeB #solar #SolarPower #SolarEnergy #SolarSector #MinGrids #Africa #EnergyAccess #SierraLeone #MiniGrid #research #SubSaharanAfrica

A Clash of Visions: Analyzing Sindh's Renewable Push vs. NEPRA's Tariff Hike Pakistan's energy sector faces a crossroads. We have two seemingly contrasting approaches: Sindh's Energy Minister, highlighting the province's vast renewable potential and ongoing projects utilizing waste, solar, and even green hydrogen. This suggests a focus on long-term energy security and sustainability. NEPRA's recent decision to allow a quarterly tariff increase places the burden on consumers yet again. This prioritizes short-term financial stability for DISCOs but risks hindering long-term investments in renewables. Impact on Your Energy Policy Document: Your proposed policy for DISCOs focused on phased renewable energy integration beyond 2030, aligns well with Sindh's vision. However, NEPRA's tariff hike poses challenges: Financing: Increased consumer costs may make it harder for DISCOs to invest in renewable projects, potentially derailing your Phase 1 and 2 plans. Consumer Backlash: Higher tariffs could discourage public support for renewable energy, jeopardizing public-private partnerships and social acceptance of microgrid projects. Analysis of Stakeholders: NEPRA: While NEPRA's focus on DISCO finances is understandable, their approach seems short-sighted. They miss an opportunity to push DISCOs towards long-term solutions. DISCOs: The tariff hike provides immediate relief, but it might not address the underlying issues of inefficiency and reliance on expensive fuels. They risk losing public trust and hindering long-term cost reduction through renewables. Government: The government needs to bridge the gap. It can incentivize DISCOs to adopt your plans by offering subsidies or loan guarantees for renewable projects. Public education campaigns showcasing long-term benefits can also help garner consumer support. Consumers: Consumers are hit the hardest. The tariff hike creates immediate financial strain. However, clear communication about the long-term benefits of renewable energy investment can foster understanding and acceptance. Recommendations: NEPRA: Revise the tariff structure to incentivize DISCOs to integrate renewables. This could involve lower tariffs for units consumed from renewable sources. DISCOs: Embrace your proposed energy policy with a sense of urgency. Explore innovative financing mechanisms outlined in your document, such as green bonds or PPPs, to bridge the funding gap. Government: Play a proactive role by: 1. Offering financial incentives for DISCOs to invest in renewables. 2. Streamlining permitting processes for renewable energy projects. 3. Investing in grid upgrades and storage solutions to facilitate greater renewable energy penetration. Consumers: Hold stakeholders accountable. Demand transparency and clear communication regarding energy policy and tariff changes. Embrace the long-term vision for a sustainable energy future. Assisting Sindh Solar Energy Project (SSEP), Sir Mehfooz Qazi saheb to attain enhanced energy efficiency.

A small population can not simply afford the complex structure where we are in now. Industry has now added lot more overheads (VAR as opposed to kW) who are not actively involved in electricity generation, transmission, and or distribution but involved in retailing, management and operation of competitive electricity market (AEMO), regulations (AEMC) etc. pushing the overall tariff to new heights. On top of that the renewable agenda has brought in more complexities resulting in introduction of super innovative tariff structure which majority of customers either do not have the knowledge or time to decipher. May be the time to rethink on vertical reintegration.