• Zesco has made an application to Energy Regulation Board to revise the electricity tariffs by 37 percent.
• The increase in tariffs will make it difficult for majority of people to have access to electricity.
• It is important that as ERB is considering the approval of this application, the interest of consumers must be taken into account.

An Energy Expert says Zambia may not achieve objectives of vision 2030 of attaining universal access to electricity for all in view of increased power connection fees and the impending 37 percent hike in tariffs.
Speaking to Money FM News, Yotam Mtayachalo stated that as Energy Regulation Board (ERB) is considering the approval of Zesco’s application to revise electricity tariffs, the interest of ordinary consumers must be taken into account.
Mr. Mtayachalo said while stakeholders appreciate that Zesco is a business entity, which is also supposed to survive in the current harsh economic environment, the increase in tariffs will make it difficult for majority of people to have access to electricity.
“I have seen that Zesco has made an application to Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to revise the electricity tariffs by 37 percent. While I do appreciate that Zesco is a business entity, which is also supposed to survive in this harsh economic environment, it is important that as ERB is considering the approval of this application, the interest of the Zambian consumers must be taken into account.
“More importantly that vision 2030 we are targeting to have the majority of Zambians achieving universal access to electricity but with these new connection fees, I doubt if this country will be able to meet that target. It is important to realize that the people are already overburdened economically,” Mr. Mtayachalo stated.
He noted that it is not long ago when Zesco made an application to ERB to revise new power connection fees which have since increased by huge margins.
“It is not long ago Zesco again made an application to ERB to revise new connection fees and we have seen that the connection fees have increased by huge margins and that is going to affect the majority of people, to have access to electricity.”
“Fuel is being increased almost on a monthly basis and that has also resulted into the high cost of living in this country and also high cost of doing business. Government must be reminded that when they were in the opposition, President Hakainde Hichilema spoke passionately about lowering the cost of production. we are not seeing any measures to lower the cost of production,” he added.
He further said the continued increase in the cost of production will lead to job losses in many industries and exacerbate the already high unemployment levels.
“I find it difficult how government will be able to bring down the cost of basic commodities while the cost of fuel and electricity has continued to skyrocket, it is not possible. So let us be mindful of the suffering of people in this country, Mr. Mtayachalo said.
Zesco Limited has applied to the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to increase electricity tariffs by 37 percent to be spread over five years.