There has been a constant supply of electricity to most households across the country since the start of the coronavirus-induced lockdown in late March and the power situation will likely continue, a senior government official has revealed.
The relaxation of the lockdown restrictions over a week ago allowing the partial reopening of industries that usually consume much electricity over a week ago has not affected electricity supplies to residential areas.
Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Magna Mudyiwa on Wednesday said that there are several factors that will determine the availability of adequate electricity in the coming weeks. She said:
The availability of excess supply in the region, the potential to increase power from Kariba and the return of other units from Hwange will determine the ability of electricity to meet the increase in demand.
Zesa Holdings recently approved an automatic hike of 19,02 per cent for all tariffs calculated from a formula that ensures the continuation of imports and operation of its stations.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Energy and Power Development Fortune Chasi on Saturday warned domestic consumers and companies that are stealing electricity from the national grid, that it was such kind of behaviour which plunged the country into darkness in 2019. He tweeted:
Ndozvaka endesa magetsi zvamakuiita izvozvi izvi. (What you are doing now is was caused severe load shedding).