Calls For Zesco To Cut Tariffs As Loadshedding Continues

The Zambian Association of Manufacturers (ZAM) has called on Zesco to consider a reduction in electricity tariffs as part of measures to limit the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic is causing a lot of pressure on local business but could also see various global supply chains interrupted, meaning that local production of goods has never been more important.

Speaking on the issues ZAM vice-president Chipego Zulu has stated, “When it comes to electricity, I know it’s a difficult thing to discuss, but we do recognise that last year, the electricity tariffs did go up by over 100 per cent in some sectors.”

“Now as we are looking at local manufacturers to step up their production in the midst of this pandemic, obviously the costs of production fo have an impact on their capability to do so and so with regard to electricity, it would be a welcome incentive to reduce those tariffs for the manufacturing sector even if it’s by half of what they had increased because that would at least minimize the impact in terms of cost of production,” she continued.

Meanwhile the public utility has confirmed that it intends to continue the load shedding schedule of more than 10 hours for the rest of 2020 unless the Kafue Gorge Lower Hydro Power station comes on board by the third quarter.

According to Zesco Director Generation Fidelis Mubiana Zambia currently has a power deficit of 810 mega watts.