Zesco’s power imports up over 600% in 3 months – Mapani … to re-submitt emergency tariff hike proposal
By Jane Chanda
Zesco managing director Victor Mapani says the company has increased power imports in the last three months from 64 megawatts to 400 megawatts at a deficit of 7.5-cent deficit per unit compared to the average domestic tariff.
And the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) director general Elijah Sichone says Zambia’s energy crisis, characterised by over 20-hours of daily load shedding and a 700MW power deficit, is not insurmountable.
Speaking at a public discussion forum on load shedding at Taj Pamodzi organised by News Diggers in Lusaka, Zesco Mapani reiterated the company’s efforts to avoid shutting down, citing plans to re-submit its emergency tariff hike proposal to the ERB to raise $14 million per month
Mapani outlined plans to mitigate the deficit by re-submitting its emergency tariff hike proposal to the ERB. This temporary increase aims to raise $14 million per month, covering the cost of power imports and ensuring a sustainable energy supply https://dailyrevelationzambia.com/zescos-power-imports-up-over-600-percent-mapani-to-re-submitt-emergency-tariff-hike-proposal
So where is this imported electricity going?
To power up community house?
Let us remove the lacuna together in 2026.
Vote wisely in 2026.
Using numbers to confuse people. Mapani you have failed.
1. Are those generators a sustainable alternative to the situation? A measure to perpetuate the same ills that we cried and heard of during PF?
2. How many markets do we have im Zambia and can Zesco afford to place a generator in each market?
3. You speak of solar as an alternative. Have you taken a study into the viability of solar as an alternative. We are heading into the rain season. Just cloud cover the ability to generate power. Is a justifed investment? As even what will be generated you “hoodwink” us into saying the institution will “net value” a rather vague term not fully explained and if i sell/generate more than I consume from zesco how will I be paid? Maamba as an institution has struggled to be paid what the sell to the instution. What hope in hell, does the consumer have to be paid for the investment they have made in solar?
3. You and the Minister have outrightly lied. And this article suggests that while you have bought 600% increase in power. That is far below the demand. So what mitigating measure is that? And then insentitvely suggesting the local consumer doesnt matter? Is that not an insult to the very people that contribute to you salary? Insignificant as it maybe. The statement was a serious slight to Zambians as they had no say in the tariff lag over the years. They have no bearing on the expansion measures undertaken or the overleveraging of the institution because its management allowed political interferance into the institution or failed to put in place measures or tariffs to cover these costs and demand in its tariffs?
In short, you, together with the state and the Ministry of energy have been a let down to Zambians and you would have been fired or made to resigned in a country where proper outlooks and morals exists. Time for you to consider your stay at Zesco as you think you can talk your way out of a problem. But clearly have no iota of what you are doing when the remission you speak of should have been done immediately after you go a response from ERB.
You also did a poor job explaining to the public your proposal and the issue should not have waited for a leak from Mwamba who set his own misinformation campaign.
Zesco’s submission could have been approved if they didn’t ask for a massive 156% increment. There are steps they can take to reduce their expenses. First stop payment of all allowances and extras across the board. Stop giving free electricity to zesco employees and grz institutions. Let all non active personnel go on forced leave with half pay including the some directors who have nothing to do this time because zesco is not generating power but merely purchasing and distribution. Lastly go for a modest increment of 50% for those who use over 400 units and 75% for those who go beyond 600 units. That way in can be approved.