Zimbabweans should expect a steep rise in the cost of electricity in the near future after Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda said current power tariffs are unsustainable.
ZESA Holdings has started the process of seeking a tariff review from US$c7,5 to about US$c10 per unit, it has emerged.
At the moment the country is bridging electricity supply gaps through imports.
Speaking in a recent interview with ZBCtv, Minister Soda said for the power utility to be able to guarantee adequate power supplies, there is a need for a tariff hike. He said:
As you might be aware, we are importing power from outside the country especially during peak hours and more so during this time of the year in winter.
Our power is imported at as high as US$0,24c per kilowatt-hour whereas we are selling that power from ZWL$07,67c per kilowatt/hour.
In order for us to achieve what we are envisioning to provide adequate power and sustainable electricity, there is a need for tariffs to be reviewed.
Minister Soda said the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) was also at the moment failing to meet its debt obligations due to low tariff levels.