Zambia’s power utility company, ZESCO Limited, has ended the implementation of the emergency electricity tariff introduced in November 2024.
The tariff was implemented to enable the utility to procure external power following a drought that reduced domestic generation from the country’s hydroelectric dams.
The decision follows ZESCO’s application, submitted on October 10, seeking to end the emergency tariff — a request that was subsequently approved by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).
Consequently, the utility has reverted to the four-tier structure under the Multi-Year Tariff Framework (MYTF) for residential customers.
A statement issued by ZESCO on Friday confirmed that the emergency tariff ended effective October 31, 2025.
“As of 1 November 2025, ZESCO reverted to the Multi-Year Tariff Framework (2023–2027), a stable and predictable tariff structure designed to promote long-term energy security and sustainability.
The lifeline units (the first 200 units per month) remain unchanged to provide relief to low-income households,” the company said.
ZESCO further noted that tariffs for social services and water pumping stations have also not been adjusted.
“We encourage all customers to familiarise themselves with the newly approved residential tariffs to better understand what this means for their households,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the ERB rejected ZESCO’s proposal to introduce a standard residential tariff for customers not qualifying under the lifeline category.
The regulator directed ZESCO to undertake further studies to develop a more practical and equitable approach.
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