13 January 2015, Lusaka – Zambia says a reversed electricity tariffs will come into effect next month after its Energy Regulation Board, ERB, would have scrutinised a fresh application by the power utility Zesco.
This follows a directive by President Edgar Lungu that the power utility reverses the intended hike in electricity tariffs to enhance affordability among low-income domestic consumers.
The ERB last year granted Zesco a go-ahead to hike electricity tariffs for the various customer categories from an average of 37 Ngwee to K1.13 per kilowatt-hour, which was an equivalent of six US Cents to 10.35 Cents per kilowatt-hour.
The hike was effected on December 2, last year, with charges for residential customers at a fixed rate of K0.51 revised upwards from 100 units to 300 units per month.
Energy and Water Development Minister Dora Siliya said in Lusaka that the tariffs had to be revised and implemented gradually so that domestic consumers were not choked further by the increase in the cost of consumer goods and services.
She, however, said the tariffs effected for other consumer groups stood as they were so that Government could attract more investment in the sector.
“Zesco will make a fresh application to the ERB and the revised tariffs are expected to come into effect on February 1, 2016.