FAQ | BPC

What should I do if normal supply is not restored at the end of the Load Management period?
The customer may call BPC at its Contact Centre number of 16266 or SMS to 77 110 000 or 74 600 900
What should I do if I want to use my alternative power source (e.g. generator) during Load Management
If it is a generator, the isolator should be on the OFF position and be manually restored to BPC supply after the load management period of 4 hours.
Is there any risk to my appliances as a result of supplies being switched OFF during Load Management?
There is no damage to property anticipated during program, however customers are advised to use adaptors with surge protection to protect their appliances.
What am I expected to do if my supply has been switched OFF because my load had been in excess of 10 Amps?
Reduce your load to 10 Amps (typically 10 CFL lights (60Watts), fridge, television, and decoder). Disconnected customer loads will be reviewed on intervals of 1 hour, and those reduced to levels below 10A will be restored.
What am I expected to do to prepare for Load Management?
Customers are expected to limit their load, especially during peak periods of 6-10AM & 6-10PM to a maximum of 10 Amps (typically10 CFL lights (60Watts), fridge, television, and decoder)
How do I know which appliances can be accommodated within the 10 Amps allowed during Load Management?
The stipulated 10A will typically allow customers to use at least 10 CFL lights (60Watts), fridge, television, and decoder. Customers can also check how much they are using by pressing 864 then ENTER and scrolling down until they see the figure with amps.
Who is affected by Load Management?
- Domestic Customers – supply of Single phase 60A at 230volts or three phase 60A at 400volts
- Small business – supply of 3Phase, 60A at 400volts
Anything more than the above stipulated will not be affected by Load management. These can also be confirmed on the applications for electricity which the customer had signed for.
What is Load Management?
It is a demand side management program in which supply to individual customers is limited to 10Amps when power demand exceeds the available supply. The program is only be used as a first step when there is shortage of power so as to minimize load shedding.
The use of programme will be more prevalent during the 4 hour peak periods of 6-10AM & 6-10PM.
Is there any schedule available for customers?
The schedule is available in our website, www.bpc.bw, media and at all our Customer Service Centres countrywide.
How do we tell the difference between a power fault and load shedding?
When the power goes off, it is not possible to know if it is a fault, emergency load shedding or a scheduled load shedding except by looking at the published schedules.
What are load shedding precautions?
Customers should please switch off all apparatuses and appliances during an outage so that they can minimise the effect of this surge, and also protect their own equipment against possible damage.
What is the difference between load shedding and saving electricity?
Load shedding is aimed at removing load from the power system when there is an imbalance between the electricity available and the demand for electricity.

Saving electricity (by using energy-efficient appliances, switching off equipment when not in use) has benefits such as saving customers money.
How can I stay informed about load-shedding?
- Notification in the press
- The planned load shedding schedules on BPC website, www.bpc.bw
- From our Customer Service Centers country wide
- Call Centre number 16266
What is load shedding?
Load shedding is a measure of last resort to prevent the collapse of the power system country-wide. When there is insufficient power station capacity to supply the demand (load) from all the customers, the electricity system becomes unbalanced, which can cause it to trip out country-wide (a blackout), and which could take days to restore.
Where can one get further clarifications on NESC?
Customer Service Manager.
Will residential dwellings built in small holdings (masimo, meraka) benefit from NESC?
No.
Will housing developed by Estate Developers connect at NESC?
No.
What is the age restriction to benefit from NESC?
NESC has no age restriction. However, individuals aged 60 years and above shall not benefit from the credit facility, and shall pay the NESC amount outright.
Is the Government contributing financially to NESC?
No. The Government does not contribute financially to NESC, her role is facilitator.
Will all applications from qualifying villages connect at NESC?
Yes, subject to satisfying certain predetermined distances that qualifies one to be within the NESC area which currently is 500m from source.
Will customers be subjected to credit worthiness checks?
Yes, only for customers intending to apply for the credit facility. If they fail to meet the laid down criteria the loan will not be granted.
What are application procedures?
Application procedures remain the same, customers apply to BPC.
How are customers expected to pay the P5, 000.00?
Customers have the following payment options;

1. Outright payment
2. Credit facility that shall apply as follows;
    a. Upfront payment of minimum of 5%
   b. Balance repayable as follows:
        i. 6 months at prime less 6%
        ii.   12 months at prime less 4.5%
        iii. 18 months at prime less 2%
Is the NESC the maximum a customer can pay?
No, additional to the NESC, customers pay Value Added Tax and where they are applying for a credit facility; they shall pay the credit worthiness checks related charges by ITC.
Can a customer benefit more than once?
Yes. The benefit is directed at households but not individual customer.
Who are the beneficiaries?
Households only (domestic customers) for 60 Amps single phase supply. Applicants for a 60 Amps three phase supply will benefit to the extent of the cost of the 60 Amps single phase supply.
What happens in villages or areas where the current standard cost is lower than the NESC?
The NESC shall apply i.e. the NESC amount will be a standard connection cost and shall be payable by all customers.
What happens to customers in villages or areas not covered by NESC?
The existing BPC procedures, terms and conditions for obtaining power connection shall apply as follows;
- SCHEME A
  Where the connection is part of the Rural Collective Scheme and within the official boundaries of a village, the following conditions shall apply:
  Supply of less than 35kW
  
  Upfront payment of minimum of 5%
  Balance of 95% repayable as follows:
  18 months at no interest, or
  60 months at prime interest rate less 0.5%, or
  180 months at prime interest rate.
  
  Supply of 35kW or more
  
  Upfront payment of minimum of 10%
  Balance of 90% repayable as follows:
  12 months at no interest
  60 months at prime interest rate less 0.25% or
  120 months at prime interest rate.
- SCHEME B
  Where the connection does not form part of Rural Collective Scheme, and with connection amount not exceeding P50 000.00
  Supply of less than 35kW
  
  Upfront payment minimum of 20%
  Balance of 80% repayable as follows:
  12 months at no interest, or
  60 months at prime interest rate less 0.5%
  120 months at prime interest rate (limited to amount of less than P50 000.00).
  
  Supply of 35kW or more
  
  Upfront payment minimum of 20%
  Balance of 80% repayable as follows:
  6 months at no interest, or
  60 months at prime interest rate less 0.25%
  120 months at prime interest rate (limited to amount of less than P50 000.00).
- SCHEME C
  Where the connection does not form part of the Rural Collective Scheme with the connection amount exceeding P50 000.00
  
  Supply of less and greater than 35kW, upfront payment minimum of 20% Balance of 80% repayable as follows:
  
  12 months at no interest, or
  36 months at prime interest rate less 0.25% or
  60 months prime interest rate plus 0.30%.
Can it be implemented in retrospect?
No. NESC only applies to new connections. Customers with running BPC contracts shall have to honour those contracts.
Why is NESC rolled out in phases?
t is necessary to stagger implementation of NESC because the 5 thebe levy cannot generate enough funds to roll out the scheme to all customers at the same time.
When will the scheme begin?
NESC shall be implemented in phases as outlined below
- 1st Phase
- 1st October 2010 Customers in villages or areas that have standard cost begin to benefit and connect at NESC. The prevailing standard cost conditions will apply under the NESC.
- 2nd Phase
- 1st October 2011 Customers in villages or areas with no standard cost and towns begin to benefit and connect at NESC
What is a kilo-watt hour?
The amount of electrical energy consumed in one hour by 17 incandescent bulbs (60 watts old type) or 100 compact fluorescent lights (10 watts) bulbs
Where is the connection subsidy coming from?
The subsidy comes from a 5 thebe per kilo-watt hour levy charged on electricity consumers. For example, a customer whose current monthly consumption is 100 units at 40 thebe per unit pays P40 per month.

The introduction of the levy will result with the same customer paying an additional P5.00, bringing their total bill to P45.00 per month.
What is the aim of the National Electricity Standard Connection Cost?
This is one of the Government initiatives to make household electricity connections affordable, thereby improving access to electricity.
What is the NATIONAL ELECTRICITY STANDARD CONNECTION COST (NESC)?
A household electricity connection cost of P5,000.00 that when completely rolled out, shall apply to households in electrified settlements, villages, towns and cities across the country. The amount shall be reviewed by the Government from time to time.
How do i register for online services?
To register for online services visit the nearest BPC office for assistance. Provide certified identity documents.

The following services will be available post registration;
1. Change your customer Information.
2. Apply for discontinuation of Services.
3. Submit post paid meter readings.