MINISTER of Energy Peter Kapala says load-shedding has reduced from eight hours daily to four hours daily.
Updating journalists, on the energy situation in the country, at his office in Lusaka today, Kapala, an engineer, said there has been improvement in water inflows into major hydro power reservoirs, namely Kariba, Kafue Gorge and Itezhi tezhi dam.
The minister said the water inflows has resulted in increased power generation at Kariba North Bank, Kafue Gorge, Kafue Gorge Lower, Itezhi tezhi and Victoria Falls power stations.
“With this improvement, total electricity generation has no increased by 305 megawatts, bringing the total national generation to 2, 215 megawatts,” Kapala said.
“This increased generation is against the current power demand of 2, 380 megawatts, resulting in a reduced power deficit from 470 megawatts to 165 megawatts. Given the above development, the load-shedding duration has since been reviewed and revised downwards from eight to four hours.”
He added that in that regard, Zesco will now load-shed its clients once in a day for four only.
“With this adjustment, customers will have power for a total of 20 hours in a day as opposed to the previous 16 hours of power supply [daily],” noted Kapala.
“I wish to assure the general public and the business community that government is doing everything possible to normalise the situation. Some of the planned interventions by government include importation of 100 to 200 MW of power from EDM of Mozambique which will further reduce the power deficit.”
Kalemba February 3, 2023
