Zambia’s state-owned power company, ZESCO Limited has announced a 200 percent increase in electricity tariffs effective 1st October, 2019.
The six months increase in electricity tariffs is meant to offset the cost of importing 300 megawatts of power from South Africa to mitigate the power deficit the country is facing.
Speaking at a media briefing, ZESCO Director Strategy and Corporate Services Patrick Mwila indicated that the tariff increase will vary for individual costs depending on spending brackets.
The acting Managing Director of ZESCO, Webster Musonda, who also spoke at the press briefing said the cost for the importation of 300 megawatts of power for six months will be passed on to consumers.
According to him, power utility will be importing power from Eskom of South Africa at a cost of US$22 million per month.
Mr Musonda states that due to low water levels at Kafue Gorge,Itezhi tezhi and Kariba North Bank and extension power stations, the country is having a power deficit of 690 Megawatts.
He adds that the importation of 300 Mega Watts of power from South Africa is meant to mitigate the complete shutdown of Kariba North Bank power station.