Tinashe Farawo
THE reduction of electricity generation due to depressed power production at Kariba Power Plant has cost Zesa US$236 million through emergency imports over the last few months, The Sunday Mail has established.
Zimbabwe is importing power from South Africa (300MW) and Mozambique (50MW).
While Zesa buys electricity from Eskom of South Africa at USc13 per kilowatt hour, the utility sells it to its local customers for USc9/kWh.
As a result, Zesa has applied for an immediate 49 percent tariff increase to energy sector regulator to offset such losses.
If approved, the cost of power will rise to about USc14/kWh.
Information gathered last week shows that Zesa has spent US$193,6 million to buy 1 027GWh in emergency power. Comparatively, Zesa would have used about US$28,9 million to generate and distribute an equal amount of power if Kariba was working at optimum level.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said: “The impact of reduced production at Kariba currently stands at US$236 million.
“It is important to note that the tariff increase will improve energy efficiency, improve economic activity, service delivery and of cause reduced load shedding.”
Generation at Kariba Hydro Power Station has been reviewed from 750MW at the start of 2015 to 475MW by December last year, and now to 285MW owing to reduced water levels at the dam.