Energy Regulation Board (ERB) Director General Yohane Mukabe has said the current electricity tariffs are not cost-reflective and will need to rise by an average of 17 percent between 2020 and 2025.
Speaking during the dissemination of the Electricity Cost of Service Study Results Workshop, Mr. Mukabe said the Electricity Cost of Service Study results shows that a total $14.03 billion is required in generation, transmission and distribution between 2021 to 2040.
Government through ERB has started releasing contents of a specialized study aimed at determining the Zambian power systems full cost of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and supply to different customer categories.
The study has highlighted among other issues load forecast, least cost expansion plan, key findings, financial sustainability of the power sector in Zambia and recommendations.
The overall purpose of the Cost of Service Study was to determine and set tariffs for the Electricity Supply Industry at Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Supply.
Mr. Mukabe said there is a need for investment in the power system to meet growing demand. According to the Study major demand drivers between 2021 to 2040 will be domestic, residential and commercial customers.
He added that the recommended tariff migration is consistent with cost-causation, hence low voltage consumers pay more than high voltage consumers.
“There is a need for investment in the power system to meet growing demand. According to the Study major demand drivers between 2021 to 2040 will be domestic, residential and commercial customers. A total 14.03 billion dollars is required in Generation, Transmission and Distribution between 2021 to 2040. Current tariffs are not cost-reflective and will need to rise by an average of 17 percent between 2020 and 2025 in real dollar terms. If legacy debt by ZESCO is allowed to be carried by the tariff the average increase will be 37 percent. Recommended Tariff migration consistent with cost-causation, hence low voltage consumers pay more than high voltage consumers.Migrating to cost reflectivity will provide for adequate revenue requirement and financial sustainability for ZESCO and other Utilities to operate efficiently and re-invest in the power system. Lifeline consumption recommended at 50kWh per month to balance between social affordability and revenue tradeoffs, cross subsidization between low and high income consumers. Cost of supply at generation,” Mr. Mukabe said.
“Transmission and distribution has been determined consistent with cost-causation. The study has recommended a gradual Multi-year tariff migration path with provision for Automatic cost-pass-through on factors that affect the Energy and capacity 35 9.0 Recommendations from the Study i. The ERB as a client recognises and appreciates the thoroughness and scientific approach with which the cost of service study was conducted and accordingly recommends that the study findings may be used as a sound basis on which a review of the Zambian energy supply industry could be based in future tariff design and migration to cost-reflectivity.”
“The Study has recommended a migration to cost reflective tariffs in trachea of 5 years using a Multi-Year and Automatic cost Pass-through Tariff framework. iii. Specifically, the ERB recommends that the report’s findings that ZESCO is financially challenged as a result of not being able to recover the full costs of electricity generation, transmission and distribution under the currently prevailing tariff regime be accepted and that a review of the tariff regime be undertaken as a matter of urgency. ERB further recommends that the study report’s estimates of the growth trajectory for national power demand over the period 2020 – 2040 be accepted and that investments in the power system to the extent of approximately $14billion will need to be made over that period,” he said.
Mr. Mukabe has since called for a quick implementation of the Electricity Cost of Service Study results.
“Failure to implement the recommendations shall have repercussions in the electricity sub-sector. ZESCO’s financial position may worsen and the utility would be unable to pay its suppliers (Independent Power Producers). Further, the utility would be unable to finance investments in new generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure to be able to meet the forecasted growth in electricity demand. vi. That, further to the foregoing finding, it is recommended that social equity should be integral to future tariff designs; and Recommendations from the Study (cont’d) vi. Finally, it is recommended that a comprehensive review of the Cost of Service Study should be done every five years and there should be a program to build local capacity to undertake such studies. Government to study the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study and provide policy guidance. A Green Paper was issued on 26th August, 2022 where the Government presented its preliminary position on the Cost of Service Study Results. The expected output after the Public consultation is the Government final position on the Study,” Mr. Mukabe said.
Welcome IMF conditions. Even water prices will go up because government can’t afford
People are not interested in those day to day explanations all they want is development and not slowing down the already existing businesses , what has changed in our mother zambia now people are suffering like never before .
Is this the zambia people were hurrying to go and vote for did they vote for more poverty , you are mocking your electorate who spent the whole night fighting to put you into power for their benefit , however the opposite has happened
We have a puppet useless government…a party that has people who show off underpants and you expect things to be normal. Zero Zero.
First, I thought ERB was autonomous.
Now, ZESCO is a quasi government meant to provide a public good were private company would want to extract profits.
Okay, if no increment was not effected in the last five, it does mean you should recover at once but instead the increment should implemented progressively over the next 4 or 5 years.
Otherwise the implication is that you want to privatize or restructure ZESCO just say it
What is cost reflective Mr Mukabe with all the inefficiencies and bloated manpower?
This ERB stated the same thing 4 years ago ….why is it they never say ZESCO is inefficient and there is need for unbundling Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Supply. Privatise the supply side and ZESCO only Generation, Transmission and Distribution
They have arrested chilufya tayali these azzholes
If Zesco were run efficiently then it can break even. The levels of inefficiency at Zesco are astounding! Further, Zesco doesn’t behave like a company in distress almost in every sphere. Let’s take football, how can they sponsor 17 teams? How much do they spend on that alone? Even Yohane Mukabe isn’t relying on info Zesco accountants because there isn’t accountability at Zesco. I ask Kapala to consider to split Zesco. Let generation remain with Zesco while other functions be reverted to local authorities and other players
INCREASE EVERYTHING WE ARE WAITING.
Yohane mwlaba ifyo twachulile in Nkana. I am sure you get free supply.
Other things have been expertly analyzed by posts 1 to 8.
ZESCO must be reminded that they are a para-state organizstion. They are not entirely for Profit!
Ba ERB, may i did not get your announcement of the new connectuion fees, kindly update on the new connection fees as you promised. You said you will respond to ZESCO in a Month, but its over a month now.
So what are the new Zesco connection fees/
People thinks as Zambians we will forget all this crap by the time its 2026. Aikona man!
ERB should be reminded that they are supposed to be the REGULATORS and not SPOKESMEN for ZESCO