The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) announced the removal of the T1 social tariff band, effective May 8, 2024.

This move eliminates subsidized electricity rates for the country’s poorest residents.

The decision comes after a request from the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) citing concerns that the current system benefits all customers, including wealthy individuals. This, according to SLEWRC, prevents EDSA from generating enough revenue to purchase electricity from independent power producers.

While acknowledging the impact on the most vulnerable, SLEWRC assures they are working with EDSA to develop new technology to accurately identify and categorize low-income customers. The commission has pledged to revisit the decision once this technology is implemented.

Customers are encouraged to contact EDSA customer service for clarification on the new tariff structure.

Please read full statement below:

“The Sierra Leone Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (SLEWRC) wishes to inform the general public that, effective May 8, 2024, the T1 Social Tariff Band is removed. All electricity bills issued from this date forward will reflect the new tariff structure.

“This change follows an application submitted to the Commission on the 4th May 2024 by the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) requesting the removal of the T1 Band from the retail electricity tariff structure.

“The purpose of the T1 social Band was to provide electricity to the poorest. Unfortunately, our review and analysis of the tariff structure indicates that all customers (including the richest) are benefiting from the pro-poor categories, depriving EDSA from the needed revenue to purchase electricity from IPPs (Karpower, CLSG, etc.).

“We acknowledge the impact of this change on the genuine pro-poor group. SLEWRC is actively collaborating with EDSA to deploy the appropriate technology to accurately categorize customers within the pro-poor segments. The Commission shall review this decision when the appropriate technology that adequately identify and separates poor customers from high end users is in place.

“We encourage customers to contact EDSA customer service for information on the new tariff structures for clarifications and assistance.”