Photo: Vanguard

Electricity pylons.

ZIMBABWE Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings, has applied for a tariff increase, a few days after the Administrative Court nullified an "illegal" upward tariff review of September 2011. ZETDC has proposed a tariff increase of an average US9,94c kilowatt

per hour from the current average of US9,83c kWh, the company said in a joint statement with Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority yesterday.

"The application is seeking a review of the tariff to an average of US9,94c kWh in terms of the approved rate of return methodology," read the statement.

"Any customer(s) wishing to make any submission on the ZETDC's intention to vary electricity tariffs may do so in writing to the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory

Authority chief executive officer not later than Friday November 23, 2012."

ZETDC said the review would allow the company to refurbish transmission infrastructure and help attract investors for expansion of power supply projects. It will also

allow the roll out of pre-paid metering and replacement of vandalised equipment.

With domestic tariffs below the regional average of US14c kWh, Mr Malunga said the sub-economic tariffs have for long affected local power sectors.