LUSAKA, March. 27 (Xinhua) -- Zambia's power utility has applied for a 75-percent increase in electricity tariffs for 2017, which will be subject to authorization by the country's energy regulator, said a notice on Monday.
Zesco Limited has notified the Energy Regulation Board for an increase in tariffs to be implemented in two phases this year, starting with 50 percent effective on May 1, and an additional 25 percent effective on September 1.
The power utility said the tariff hike will enable it to continue purchasing electricity from independent producers as well as imports from the region to respond to the power deficit facing the country.
According to the firm, current electricity tariffs in the country were not cost-reflective, hence the need for the tariffs to be gradually adjusted.
In 2015, the power utility made an application to the energy regulator for an average tariff increment of 187 percent, which was awarded but its implementation was suspended when the government asked for a gradual enforcement to avoid economic shocks.
