Power tariffs up by 20 per cent in Isles

THE Zanzibar Electricity Company (ZECO) has announced an increase of power tariff by 20 per cent effective from today (November 1) aimed at minimising running costs, Isles Energy Minister Ms Salama Aboud Talib said in a press statement yesterday.

She, however, said that ZECO had reduced service charges for small and large industries.

“The government has for long been providing electricity to its people with subsidised tariffs. We still consider economic challenges facing most of the people, but we raised so as the consumers help ZECO run smoothly, “said the minister.

She announced that for the lifeline (or home use) consuming up to 50 units, the new tariff is 79/- -- up from 66/- per unit; consumers using above 51 units, will have to pay 480/- instead of 400/- per unit; while consumers (using up to 1, 500 units) under the general services tariff, will pay 266/- -- up from 222/- per unit.

Tariff for small industries has been increased from 172/- to 206/-; large industries from 141/- to 169/-; while for street light it would now be 266/- from 222/- per unit.

Ms Talib said the service charges for home uses had not been affected, but for small industries, it has been reduced from 16,500/- to 10,500/- while large/big industries will from today pay 150,000/- instead of 240,000/ per month. For kilo-volt-ampere for special needs, the tariff has gone up from 15,000/- to 16,000/-.

“Despite the increase, our tariffs for domestic use remain low compared to those on Tanzania Mainland. We ask all our customers to appreciate the government’s efforts to maintain low tariffs,” Ms Talib said. Zanzibar imports its electricity from the Mainland.

Source dailynews.co.tz