The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has dismissed reports claiming that electricity tariffs will be hiked soon as false.
ZERA acting chief executive officer, Eddington Mazambani said that the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has not yet applied for a tariff adjustment. He said:
We haven’t received an official application of the increase.
I can only talk of a tariff increase or adjustment of tariffs if there is an official application done by the utility to the regulation.
Mazambani further asserted that the ongoing load shedding was not a sign that ZESA is pushing for a tariff hike. He added:
It only shows people don’t appreciate the industry. Load shedding is not a process of trying to increase electricity price rather electricity is only consumed when it gets generated. There is no storage for electricity for now.
Meanwhile, ZESA spokesperson, Fullard Gwasira said that the power utility applies for a tariff increase according to the Electricity Act. The approval or lack of remains the prerogative of ZERA, said Gwasira.