Zimbabwe’s power utility, ZESA Holdings has requested for a tariff increase to cushion it from the harsh economic environment prevailing in the country, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) said Friday.
BY PHILLIMON MHLANGA
Currently, ZESA is charging an average tariff of 7.5 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), which ZESA said has remained insufficient to support its operations.
According to ZERA, the power utility wants the tariff to go up to about 10 cents per kWh. ZERA chief executive officer, Eddington Mazambani said the power utility had asked for a tariff increase.
“They [ZESA] indicated that it is difficult for them to continue with the existing tariff which is about 7.5 cents per kWh. They are looking at about 10c per kWh. They are currently in the process of making an application. When they come with it (application), we will consider it,” Mazambani said at a meeting with journalists.
ZERA board chairman, David Madzikanda, who also spoke at the meeting, concurred with Mazambani saying there was need to support ZESA to get a meaningful tariff.
“ZESA is currently incapacitated. We need to look into the problems of ZESA and be able to support the power utility so that it at least maintains the system,” Madzikanda said.
