HARARE: Zimbabweans should brace for a massive hike in electricity charges in 2016 after the power utility approached the energy regulator for an increase. The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) announced in a statement on Sunday that it has applied to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) seeking an increase in tariffs from US9.86 cents per kilowatt hour to US14 cents per kWh.
“The application is seeking an increase of electricity tariffs from the average current level of $9.86/kWh,” the state-owned company. It said the increase would improve electricity availability and higher security of supply, reduced load-shedding, improved service delivery and improved investor confidence and higher economic activity.
The company plans to import 200 megawatts of power from neighbouring countries to supplement local generation in the wake of low water levels at Kariba Dam. “The purpose of the proposed tariff is to cover the increased costs of importing power and additional imports to maintain supply at current levels and avoid shrinking the economy,” ZETDC said.
