Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority ZESA has reduced electricity tariffs for domestic consumers after consumers complained that their latest tariff hike was too steep for the general public, The Sunday News reports.
ZESA also introduced a new band for domestic consumers for 301 to 400 units which will be charged at $8.39 per kWh. Units above 400 will be charged at $9.80 per kWh according to the publication.
The publication stated that these will be the new cost of electricity with immediate effect:
- The first 50 units will cost ZWL$1.63 per kwh,
- 51 to 100 units will cost ZWL$3.27 per kwh
- 101 to 200 units will cost ZWL$5.72 per kWh.
- 201-300 Units is now ZWL$ 8.17 per kWh
- 301-400 Units is ZWL$ 8.39 per kWh
- 401 units and above will be charged ZWL$9.80 per kWh.
Before ZESA reduced the tariffs, here is what consumers were paying:
Pre-paid consumers were paying ZWL$1,67 per kWh for the first 50 units, ZWL$3,65 for 51-200 and ZWL$9,92 each for 201-300 units.. ZWL$15,57 per unit if they intend to buy more than 300 units per month.
Commenting on the development ZERA CEO Eddington Mazambani said they came to the decision after wide consultations with stakeholders mainly consumers:
What happened is that we had to cap the maximum domestic tariff to an equivalent of US$0.12/kWh. The tariffs were agreed upon after wide consultation.
Power imports are a function of available internal generation capacity versus demand. Our internal power generation averages 1200MW against a demand profile of 1400Mw. Our imports therefore ranges between 150 -200mw. This is also dependent on availability.
There are times when exporters are not producing enough hence not sending to the power pool. We are servicing the debts that are current with Eskom
ZESA has increased tariffs by over 50% in the last 2 months as they said the ZWL has been eroded by inflation and they were not able to pay for their services anymore.
More: The Sunday News