News / National
Process to hike power tariffs begins in Harare
11 Jan 2016 at 22:07hrs | Views
Consultations for the proposed power tariffs increase have begun in Harare and are expected to spread to other towns to buy in the participation of all stakeholders.
The consultations follow requests by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to increase power tariffs to cushion the organisation against high costs of imported power from within the region.
The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Samuel Undenge, said owing to low water levels at Kariba Dam, the power utility is now generating 285 mega watts down from 475 mega watts, hence the need to import power to guard against acute power shortages.
"Consultations for pending power tariffs increase have resumed in Harare being led by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA). We are currently experiencing power shortages and we are importing power at an expensive rate. From this month, Kariba will be generating a maximum of 285 mega watts from last year's figure of 475 mega watts hence the need to fill the gap by importing," he said.
Dr Undenge said besides the importation of power, government has approved the Dema diesel power plant which will add 200 mega watts, together with the repowering of thermal power stations across the country and the other solar projects.
"We have other projects in place to make sure that we will not increase load shedding such as the diesel power plant, Mutare peaking plant and the repowering of thermal power stations as we have been told by experts that it will take five years for Kariba Dam levels to reach normalcy," added Dr Undenge.
The average cost of electricity in Zimbabwe is 9.86 cents per kilowatt hour while the average regional price is 14 cents per kilowatt hour.
Zimbabwe is the only country in the region which has not increased power tariffs in the past five years.
Consultations by ZERA will lead to a comprehensive report on the agreed prices which will be tabled before cabinet for approval.
The consultations follow requests by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to increase power tariffs to cushion the organisation against high costs of imported power from within the region.
The Minister of Energy and Power Development, Dr Samuel Undenge, said owing to low water levels at Kariba Dam, the power utility is now generating 285 mega watts down from 475 mega watts, hence the need to import power to guard against acute power shortages.
"Consultations for pending power tariffs increase have resumed in Harare being led by the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA). We are currently experiencing power shortages and we are importing power at an expensive rate. From this month, Kariba will be generating a maximum of 285 mega watts from last year's figure of 475 mega watts hence the need to fill the gap by importing," he said.
Dr Undenge said besides the importation of power, government has approved the Dema diesel power plant which will add 200 mega watts, together with the repowering of thermal power stations across the country and the other solar projects.
"We have other projects in place to make sure that we will not increase load shedding such as the diesel power plant, Mutare peaking plant and the repowering of thermal power stations as we have been told by experts that it will take five years for Kariba Dam levels to reach normalcy," added Dr Undenge.
The average cost of electricity in Zimbabwe is 9.86 cents per kilowatt hour while the average regional price is 14 cents per kilowatt hour.
Zimbabwe is the only country in the region which has not increased power tariffs in the past five years.
Consultations by ZERA will lead to a comprehensive report on the agreed prices which will be tabled before cabinet for approval.
Source - zbc
