- ZESA needs at least $17 million to ensure stable supply following January 1st tariff increase
The Zimbabwean state-owned utility, ZESA, has stated that it requires at least $17 million for monthly power imports to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. In a statement issued by ZESA, the utility says it is engaged in negotiations with power utility within the South African Power Pool (SAPP) for power to meet local demand.
“To have balance in demand and supply, we need power imports to sustain the growth. We need US$17 million per month to import enough power. Various negotiations and dispensations are ongoing to ensure that we continue to import electricity so as to complement the various internal initiatives that we have embarked,” the statement read.
“We have various initiatives that are ongoing to ensure the stabilisation of the electricity supply, chief among them is the Hwange 7 and 8 expansions and the maintenance works at the Hwange Power Station,” ZESA said.
“We can confirm that we have made progress in the settling of power import bills to our regional suppliers that fall in the Southern African Power Pool, and we would like to thank the government and Afreximbank for co-ordinated interventions in ensuring that we pay up our dues” the statement read.
ZESA, on January 1st, announced a 12.3% incremental tariff. The first 50 units cost $2,25kWh, and the next 100 units cost $4,51kWh, while the next 150 units will cost $7,89/kWh.