The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is
assessing an application for an electricity tariff increase that was recently
lodged by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company
(ZETDC).
Speaking to The Herald on the sidelines of the
commissioning ceremony of Chijawi Primary and Secondary schools’
electrification project in Hurungwe district, which was officiated by Energy
and Power Development Minister Fortune Chasi, ZERA chief executive Mr Eddington
Mazambani said they wanted to ensure a balance between affordability on the
part of consumers and ZETDC’s viability.
“Tariff increases are not granted easily, we will conduct
an extensive interrogation and scrutinisation of the proposed tariffs to ensure
that they are justified.”
Mr Mazambani said their assessment might see the tariffs
being reviewed upwards or downwards.
ZESA spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira confirmed that they
applied for an increase in tariffs but declined to give specific details.
This month the power company lowered electricity tariffs by
between 11 percent and 25 percent and introduced a new low-cost tariff band
that reduces electricity charges for purchases of units in excess of 200
kilowatt hour (kwh) but not exceeding 300kwh per month in response to customer
requests for low priced units. The first 50 units, under the June lowered
tariff band, were pegged at 52c per kwh, 51 to 200 units cost $1.14 per kwh
while 201 to 300 units have been reduced to $3.12 per kwh from $4.88 per kwh.
The proposed tariff adjustments according to the
application, Mr Mazambani said, were aimed at cushioning the power entity as
inflation continues to rise. The energy regulator has also put in place a
system which will see fuel prices being adjusted weekly.
Mr Mazambani said the price adjustments were also aimed at
making sure that the commodity is available on the market. Herald
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