ZETDC Mulls Disconnecting Debtors
The Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company’s (ZETDC) this Thursday revealed plans to disconnect debtors who include mines, farms, domestic and other users over US$77 million in unpaid bills.
In a statement, ZETDC revealed that it is owed RTGS$1.2 billion and defaulters should “settle their electricity bills without any further delay to avoid the inconvenience associated with power being disconnected.”
The decision is made when the country has a huge power deficit that resulted in the power utility rolling out a crippling 18-hour load shedding.
The power utility attributes power shortages to a number of issues including the shrinking of water levels at Kariba Dam and ageing of thermal electricity generators which constantly break down.
Zimbabwe is generating about 688 MW of electricity which is less than half its peak demand and has engaged South Africa and Mozambique power utilities, Eskom and Hydro Cahora Bassa, respectively who export power to Zimbabwe only when they have spare.
Recently, ZESA increased electricity tariffs arguing that they were no longer in sync with the economic situation in the country.
More: ZBC News