Proposed tariff hike under inclusive and transparent review


The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) say they are still having a transparent and inclusive review into the proposal made by the Electricity Corporation of Malawi and Power Marketing Limited to have the tariff hiked.
The Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi and Power Market Limited proposed a 99 per cent electricity tariff increase for the four year period.
The proposal which was submitted to the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority applied the increase of the tariff to be effective October 2022 to October 2026.
The two power utility companies asked the immediate adjustment to K187.98 per kilowatt per hour from the current K104 per kilowatt per hour and later be increased to K249.15 per kilowatt per hour in 2025/26.
“The proposed Revenue Requirement is based on cost recovery principles to allow the licensees to cover cost of service to customers and improve financial sustainability, ” read part of the proposal
With just days to go before the proposed time, Nations Publication Limited conducted an interview with Mera Consumer affairs and Public relations manager, Fitina Khonje who says Mera will hold Public hearings to allow for direct engagement between consumers and the electricity licences.
“For the Authority to arrive at an appropriate decision that takes into account both consumer interest and sustainability of electricity, we need to have an inclusive and transparent review.
“This far, we received written feedback from consumers and stakeholders. After this, we will hold Public hearings to allow for a direct engagement between consumers and the electricity licencees,” said Khonje.
Meanwhile, Consumers Association of Malawi executive director said Escom has failed to achieve any of the agreed key performance indicators since the hiking of the base tariff four years ago.
“It is unfortunate that Escom expects to make money when it has no electricity and makes a lot of poor management. They have failed to achieve any of the agreed key performance indicators since the hiking of tariff base four years ago,” said Kapito.
