STAKEHOLDERS BACK ZESCO’S RESUBMITTED APPLICATION FOR AN EMERGENCY TARIFF UPWARD ADJUSTMENT
Various stakeholders have backed power utility Zesco’s resubmitted application to the Energy Regulation Board-ERB-for an emergency tariff upward adjustment where it seeks to raise $14 million per month for power imports during the current energy crisis.
Making a submission at the Zesco Emergency Tariff application public hearing in Lusaka today, Business Coalition Task Office Representative Mark O’donnell observes that the tariffs being proposed by Zesco are cheaper than use of diesel generators which most businesses and households have resorted to, owing to the heightened energy challenges Zambia is experiencing.
Mr. O’donnell stated that while the coalition supports the application for the tariff upward adjustment, it wants to see Zesco also engaging itself in prudent utilization of its resources.
Meanwhile, the Business Coalition Task Office and the Zambia Association of Manufacturers-ZAM have proposed for changes in the manner Zesco limited is governed and save it from both political and any other form of interference in its operations.
And ZAM President Ashu Sagar has also expressed concern that Zesco has not been consistent with its load shedding schedule thereby affecting production planning by the manufacturing sector and increasing their production costs.
At the same event, ERB Board Chairperson James Banda has announced that the board will make it’s decision on Thursday 10th October 2024 which he says will purely be independent with no political influence.
PHOENIX NEWS