Zesco tariff increase minimal -Kapata

ZESCO Limited says the recently increased electricity tariffs are minimal to every ordinary person.

ZESCO Spokesperson Henry Kapata says the recently adjusted electricity tariffs on residential, commercial and social services are minimal and affordable.

Mr. Kapata said this in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka, evening of June 9th

He  however explained that the metered consumption for every zero to 100 units are  still pegged 15 Ngwee per unit.

He said only consumption of 101 units to 300 units and consumption above 300 units which has been increased from 0.25 Ngwee to 0.31 Ngwee and 0.41 Ngwee to 0.51 Ngwee respectively.

Mr. Kapata said the residential electricity fixed monthly charge has only been raised from K14.63 Ngwee to K18.23 Ngwee.

And on commercial tariffs, the consumption of 700 Kilowatts per hour has only been increased from 0.27 Ngwee to 0.31 Ngwee while the commercial fixed charged has been raised from K47.75 Ngwee to K55.09 Ngwee, Mr. Kapata said.

And Mr Kapata further said the social service tariffs has only been increased from 0.27 Ngwee to 0.31 Ngwee while the fixed charged has been adjusted from the previous K41.52 Ngwee to K47.91Ngwee.

The spokesperson said the new electricity tariffs will be reflected on all its customers bill effective July 2014.

He assured customers that the tariff adjustment and ZESCO’s investment programme will no doubt translate into improved service delivery and efficiency to all its customers.

Recently, the Energy Regulation Board ERB approved ZESCO’s revised electricity tariffs with effect from 1^st July 2014

Meanwhile, Mr. Kapata said ZESCO has continued with its investment program of increasing the power generation capacity through the development of large and small power plants across the country.

Mr. Kapata stated that the massive investment plan the company is undertaking is due to the increased power demand and one way of avoiding reversing to the previous extensive load shedding.

The Power company spokesperson stated that ZESCO has made significant progress in the implementation of its investment program which has been facilitated by the movement of ZESCO’s tariffs toward cost reflective level.