Zimbabwe has increased the average electricity tariff by 320-percent to let the state power utility ramp up production and improve supplies at a time of daily rolling power cuts.

The National Regulatory Energy confirmed this on Wednesday.

Power cuts lasting up to 18 hours have hit mines, industry, and homes and, together with a devastating drought, have been cited by the treasury as among the main reasons why the economy is set to contract by up to six-percent this year.