According to Zesa advertisements flighted yesterday, the
first 50 units a month are now $1,67 each.
The next 150 units are $3,65 each. The next 100 units are
$9,92 each and everything over 300 units a month is $15,57 a unit. On top of
these charges there is a 6 percent rural electrification levy.
Charges have more than tripled since September as Zesa
cites growing debts to coal miners and external suppliers. Zesa rates remained
stable during the high inflation in the months before the auction system
brought in stability.
The first 200 units at the beginning of September cost just
under $200 with the cross-subsidies in place. Under the new rates, the first 50
units now cost $88,51 including the rural electrification levy.
Those using 200 units need to pay $668,86 including the
levy, and those wanting 300 units will have to pay $1 140,03. Each additional
100 units will cost $1650,42, including the levy as the top tariff of $15,57 a
kilowatt hour kicks in.
Households unaware of the new rates may be hard hit as
those with prepaid meters only get one shot a month at buying energy at the
special rates for the first 300 units or less.
If they buy too few in their first payment all subsequent
purchases that month are at the top rate.
This peculiarity of Zesa software is why many consumers
feel Zesa should make far greater efforts to inform consumers of new tariffs in
advance on the maximum number of print, radio, television and online channels
possible.
Domestic consumers are the only ones who pa a pure energy
charge. There are a variety of tariffs for commercial, industrial, agricultural
and institutional consumers.
These pay a fixed monthly charge, plus a power tariff for
their maximum demand during a month, plus surcharges for energy actually used
with rates varying between peak and off-peak hours.
The complex formula is designed to cut costs for businesses
that manage to spread their consumption fairly evenly over 24 hours, with dips
in peak periods, and push up charges for those that maximise demand during peak
hours. Herald
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