ZESCO, the power utility company in Zambia, has provided an explanation for the recently approved upward tariff adjustment, emphasizing its positive impact on reliable service delivery. Fitzpatrick Kapepe, ZESCO’s Head of Business Development, delivered a presentation to shed light on the matter.
During the presentation, Mr. Kapepe highlighted that the implementation of cost reflective tariffs would contribute to the financial stability of the institution. He further elaborated on the challenges faced by ZESCO in 2019 and 2020, where significant losses were incurred due to the inability to meet electricity generation and distribution targets, primarily attributed to high operational costs.
The prevailing economic conditions, including factors such as economic growth, inflation, and exchange rates, have hindered ZESCO’s service delivery capabilities. Mr. Kapepe asserted that the newly adjusted tariffs would serve as a means to cushion the impact of these factors, allowing ZESCO to enhance its service quality.
The Energy Regulations Board (ERB) approved ZESCO’s application to adjust its tariffs upward to be more reflective of costs back in April of this year. Since then, ZESCO has taken the necessary steps to implement the new tariffs for its diverse range of clientele. This includes metered clients, maximum demand clients, and social service clients, with the adjustments set to span over a five-year period from 2023 to 2027.
The tariff adjustments have been carefully designed to align ZESCO’s revenue streams with the operational costs incurred in generating and distributing electricity. By attaining cost reflective tariffs, ZESCO aims to address its financial challenges and pave the way for a more reliable and sustainable power supply to the people of Zambia.
ZESCO remains committed to fulfilling its mandate of providing efficient and affordable electricity services to the nation. The company is confident that the tariff adjustments will contribute significantly to its financial stability, enabling continued investment in infrastructure, maintenance, and capacity expansion, ultimately leading to improved service delivery for all its customers.
As ZESCO moves forward with the implementation of the adjusted tariffs, it remains dedicated to engaging with stakeholders, including customers, to ensure transparency and address any concerns related to the tariff adjustments.
Don’t bite your tongue in stressing the point. We’re not kids, this is part of the IMF agreement to make tariffs cost reflective.
But remember, none of the IMF board room members are registered voters in Zambia. We shall face head-on in 2026! NIPANO TULI!
Zesco is just too top heavy. No matter how much they increase tariffs all the money goes to paying executives, directors etc etc so it will never be beneficial to the company.
Zesco is the elite goose that lays golden eggs for government. Don’t bother explain what we already know. We certainly don’t require those economic graphs as if we are so damn-dull to see through things presented to us.
@Mutulangoma says, save that breath for something else.
ZESCO is an inefficent parastatal…no matter how many tariff adjustments it will be the same story…UPND wont push for any reforms because they know ZESCO is a cashcow for ruling parties!!
Obviously you were not going to say you increased the tariffs in order to punish us.
Increase tariffs so that the top excutive can live in luxury and build more mansions for themselves plus their girlfriends….
Now i understand the bitterness of hh against chawama Catholic priest. Its because of ECL`s presence at the church. yaba.
HH is a lapdog for the white man. Do not expect anything better to ease the common man’s suffering. He can not tax the mines because of IMF. It as simple as that and no need to explain high cost of commodities with graphs.
Where’s the cost of service study that we have been promised for years and years?