ZETDC ups power tariffs

Zim Now Writer

Zesa Holdings subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, has reviewed upwards its power tariffs with effect from March 1.

This comes as government recently turned down power utility Zesa’s request to charge for power in United States dollars to allow the power utility to pay for power imports.

The new power tariffs, which are in Zimbabwe dollars, are structured as follows:

Power Band		Total kWk in band	Charge Per kWh	Amount
1st 50kWk	0-50	50kWh	$23.70	$1 135
Next 50	51-100	50kWh	$45.50	$3 275
Next 100	101-200	100kWh	$113.80	$7 980
Next 100	201-300	100kWh	$130.80	$13 080
Above 400			$136.40

The last increase was in October 2022 and had the following charges:

Power Band		Total kWh in band	Charge Per kWh	Amount
1st 50kWk	0-50	50kWh	$18.24	$912
Next 50	51-100	50kWh	$36.27	$1 828.50
Next 100	101-200	100kWh	$64.07	$6 407
Next 100	201-300	100kWh	$105.12	$10 512
Above 400			$109.70

The country is experiencing punishing load-shedding lasting between about 16 and 20 hours every day as Zesa's generation unit, the Zimbabwe Power Company’s generation capacity has fallen on the back of antiquated equipment, particularly at Hwange Power Station.

Generation at the Kariba Hydroelectric Power Station has also been reduced owing to the water levels on the Lake Kariba.