- Zhemu Soda notes that the absence of reliable power in Zimbabwe is due to the lack of a viable tariff.
According to the Energy and Power Development Minister, Zhemu Soda, the poor power supply in Zimbabwe results from the absence of an economic tariff regime. He made this assertion while speaking to journalists of Business Weekly.
“The tariff has been severely eroded, and what we now see is the rising demand for unproductive electricity, especially by domestic customers. “Until there is the restoration of a viable tariff, the situation will remain fragile,” Soda said.
“We need a viable tariff, and I understand that ZESA has applied for a tariff review, and I want to believe the regulator (ZERA) is considering the application,” Soda explained.
Zimbabwe produces an average of 1000MW against a demand of 1600MW. It covers the domestic deficit through imports from Mozambique, South Africa and Zambia. ZESA, the State-owned power utility, continues having production challenges, particularly at the Hwange Power Station, the country’s second-largest power plant whose generators are persistently out of service due to recurring breakdowns.