The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is set to introduce special night-time electricity tariffs for businesses, a move expected to provide a significant boost to the government’s proposed 24-hour economy policy.
The initiative aims to encourage companies to extend their operations into the night by offering reduced electricity rates during off-peak hours. According to the PURC, the policy is designed to lower operational costs for businesses that are willing to run shifts beyond the traditional working day, thereby increasing productivity and job creation.
Officials say the introduction of night tariffs forms part of broader efforts to optimize energy consumption across the country. By shifting a portion of industrial and commercial energy use to periods of lower demand, the commission expects to ease pressure on the national grid while improving efficiency in power distribution.
The move is also seen as a strategic intervention to support industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, and agro-processing, which can benefit from continuous production cycles. Business owners have long cited high electricity costs as a major challenge, and the proposed tariff adjustment could offer much-needed relief.
The policy aligns with government’s ambition to build a resilient, round-the-clock economy that maximizes the use of infrastructure and human resources. Analysts believe that if effectively implemented, the night tariff system could stimulate economic activity, attract investment, and enhance competitiveness in key sectors.
Further details on the tariff structure and implementation timeline are expected to be announced by the PURC in the coming weeks.
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