O INCREASE IN CONNECTION FEES AS SUGGESTED BY ZESCO, SAYS ERB
Press Statement
Revision of Connection Charges by ZESCO
Thursday, 17th February 2022
For Immediate Release
The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has clarified that it is not in receipt of any application from ZESCO Limited to vary its connection charges, as legally required under the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019 and the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019. ZESCO is further bound to strict adherence of the governing conditions in its Standard Licence for the Supply of Electricity. Therefore, any change in ZESCO’s connection charges in whatever form or structure, as reported on various media platforms, does not have the approval of the ERB and is null and void forthwith.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Energy Regulation Act under section 4(j) vests the power and function to determine, regulate and review charges and tariffs in the ERB. Further, section 25 of ZESCO’s Standard Licence for the Supply of Electricity unequivocally proscribes ZESCO from changing tariffs or any other charges for any product or services provided in the course of the licensed activity without the prior approval of the ERB.
The public may wish to know that at the last tariff application in 2019, ZESCO applied for a revision in electricity tariffs and connection charges. At the time, only the tariffs were approved and revised. The application by ZESCO to revise connection charges by 213% was deferred pending an in-depth study and further consultations by ZESCO. As such, ZESCO were guided to re-submit an application for connection fees once these conditions were met. To date, ZESCO has not re-submitted an application to vary the connection fees upwards or for the removal of subsidies.
Members of the public are therefore urged to disregard the reported revised charges by ZESCO for electricity connection and separation of meters. Anyone subjected to the reported new charges should bring this to the attention of the ERB as guided under section 4(e) of the Energy Regulation Act.
Namukolo Kasumpa (Ms.)
Manager-Public Relations
ENERGY REGULATION BOARD
