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Minister of Energy and Power Development Soda Zhemu says despite the continued increase in electricity tariffs, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) covers the remaining importation charges.
According to the government, the cost of importing electricity USD$0.09 and consumers are paying an average of USD$0.06 cents per unit leaving a deficit of USD$0.03, a figure the government allege that they are paying.
The power utility has been increasing tariffs by 50% citing rising inflation and failure to sustain.
Asked by the members of parliament why electricity tariffs are too high he said, ” Zimbabwe is importing power at an average of US$0.09 cents as well as paying independent power producers who are feeding the grid the same rate.”
The minister went on to say that at present there is a subsidy for consumers because the average cost per unit is around US$0.06 cents.
Zhemu added that, “You will notice that 300kWh, the average cost per unit is around ZWL$6.33 whereas the optimum level that is supposed to be achieved is around US$0.10 cents if we are to restore the tariff to where it was in March.”
The tariff increases are therefore meant to keep the power utility viable.
Meanwhile , consumers have been crying foul over the tariff increase against rising inflation and stagnant income.
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