Find answers to common questions about ZESA Holdings services and operations
Electrical Safety
Electrical accidents are being caused by illegal electricity connections and by thieves and vandals that leave cables exposed. When cables are left exposed, innocent consumers and animals step on them and they are electrocuted. Some accidents are caused by ageing electricity infrastructure where poles fall on innocent consumers.
Avoid connection of naked wires. Use insulation tape to join cables, not plastic or pegs. Do not use long cables that crisscross the house. Do not leave children unsupervised with switched on appliances. Do not commission installation when you are not a qualified electrician. Do not build houses under power lines. Do not overload adaptors to prevent fires.
Energy Saving
In the home: Match pot size with stove plate size. Regulate geyser temperatures to near body temperature. Replace incandescent lamps with LED bulbs. Switch off all appliances not in use. Switch off your stove five minutes before finishing cooking.
In industry: Monitor system parameters like motor KW, pump head and flow. Use high efficiency motors. Stagger machine starting to avoid Maximum Demand charges. Use power factor correcting equipment. Shift production to off-peak periods for lower rates.
Net Metering
Net Metering is a programme in which any existing customer generating renewable energy on their premises can feed excess power back into the ZETDC Network through a grid-tied invertor and a smart meter, which measures both power consumed by the customer and power supplied to the grid.
Net Metering was introduced to allow customers to reduce their electricity purchases from distribution networks through generation of own electricity. It also allows customers to purchase power at a lower step in the tariff. There is reduction of national demand thus reducing load shedding in the long run. It promotes sustainable renewable energy sources, small scale investments, value addition and electricity market development.
Step 1: Acquire an ENM1 form at any ZETDC office nationwide or download on the ZETDC website www.zetdc.co.zw Step 2: After filling in the form, submit the form and pay the application fee Step 3: ZETDC officials shall contact you and set appointments for site visits Step 4: After technical compliance assessment, submit an ENM2 form and pay connection fees Step 5: A net meter shall be installed and commissioning done
Smart Metering
The key objectives of the smart metering project are to improve efficiency through elimination of leakages and enhancement of revenue collection. The Smart Metering system provides a mechanism to remotely and efficiently manage and control metering points from a central point. It provides meter tamper detection, upfront revenue collection through prepaid mode, and empowers clients through real-time data access.
The project started in 2012 with a proof of concept. Phase 1 with a scope of 2,455 meters was completed during 2020-2021. Phase 2 with a scope of 17,000 meters is currently being rolled out. ZETDC uses high precision meters with guaranteed accuracy stability over a 20-year lifespan.
