THE Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has approved lower electricity prices for homes after reviewing ZESCO’s request to change tariffs for the period November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2027.
In a statement, ERB Board chairperson James Banda said the decision ends the emergency tariffs that were introduced to help ZESCO manage the ongoing power shortage.
He explained that the change will not only result in lower electricity costs for households but ensure that ZESCO remained financially sustainable.
“The ERB accepted ZESCO’s proposal to end the emergency tariffs. Consequently, the current six (6) tier emergency tariff structure will be discontinued. ZESCO will therefore
revert to the four (4) tier structure in the (Multi-Year Tariff Framework) MYTF for residential customers,” he disclosed.
Under the new structure, the highest domestic electricity rate will drop by 46 percent, from K6.39 to K3.45 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
However, ERB rejected ZESCO’s plan to introduce a new “Standard Residential Tariff” based on where people live, saying it was not fair.
Banda has since directed ZESCO to undertake further studies to develop a more practical and equitable approach.
“The ERB rejected ZESCO’s proposal to introduce a Standard Residential Tariff for all other customers not qualifying for the Lifeline category. This is because ZESCO’s proposed
Lifeline implementation mechanism based on geographical location does not ensure fairness or equality,” said Banda.
ERB stated that it has also kept the lifeline tariff for the first 200 units per month to ensure that the poorest customers can still access affordable power.
The Board also approved ZESCO’s plan to restart its long term tariff programme with a few changes as fixed charges for large users will be removed, while tariffs for businesses, social services and water pumping will stay the same.
In addition, the W4 water pumping tariff has been reduced from K1.72 to K1.50 per unit to support access to clean water.
The new tariffs will take effect today and will run until end of October 2026.
“ZESCO shall submit a True-Up Report for ERB’s review before any subsequent tariff adjustments,” stated Banda.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, November 1, 2025
