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The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has dismissed claims that it will increase electricity tariffs by 156 percent, describing such reports as a distortion of the facts.
James Banda, Chairperson of the ERB Board of Directors, clarified that while the Board had received an application from ZESCO Limited for an emergency tariff adjustment, no decision had been made yet.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Banda emphasized that the ERB had called for a public hearing at Mulungushi International Conference Center on August 21, 2024, to allow the public to submit their views on ZESCO’s proposal.
Banda explained that ZESCO’s application included a proposal to expand the current four tariff bands to six for residential customers.
He assured that the life-line tariff for the first 100 units would remain unchanged, while an increase was proposed for those consuming over 200 units.
“For commercial customers, such as salons, barbershops and grocery stores, ZESCO proposes a reduction in tariffs for consumption below 100 units to support small businesses,” Banda said.
He added that ZESCO had proposed an increase in tariffs for consumption exceeding 500 units.
For maximum demand customers—such as manufacturers, farmers and shopping malls—ZESCO suggests maintaining the current tariffs for 70% of total electricity consumed and increasing tariffs for the remaining 30 percent.
Banda also noted that tariffs for social and utility customers are proposed to remain unchanged.
Following ZESCO’s application, the ERB issued a Public Notice and Consultation Paper (PCP) on August 16, 2024, to ensure transparency and gather input from stakeholders.
“The PCP aims to gather views from interested and affected parties to balance the interests of customers, the licensee (ZESCO Limited) and the general public,” Banda said.
He stated that the input from the public would be considered in the ERB’s decision-making process and that the ERB would inform the public of its decision after stakeholder engagement, taking into account government measures to address the energy crisis.
“Our duty as the ERB is to effectively regulate the energy sector, respond to stakeholders’ needs, and ensure the provision of sustainable, reliable and quality energy products and services,” Banda concluded.
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