…..staggered in periods of 6 hours each day
Government has officially announced the increase in the hours of loadshedding from 8 to 13 hours each day.
Energy Minister Peter Kapala says this will be staggered in periods of 6 hours each day to ensure that the nation has power supply available until the end of the year.
Speaking after touring Zesco hydropower sites today, Eng. Kapala said this change took effect on Monday, 20th May 2024.
“The available water for power generation Zambia’s power generation is primarily hydro with the country’s dependence still at 85% of our total installed capacity of 3,777 Megawatts.
This reliance has been severely tested by drought highlighting the inherent risks and limitations of depending on a single energy source.
As at 14th May 2024, the water available for power generation at Kariba Dam, the hardest hit reservoir in terms of reduced water inflows, stood at 48.6% yielding a paltry 166MW of power from the total installed power generating capacity of 1,080MW,” he said.
“As reported by the Zambezi River Authority, the water levels did not appreciate at the end of the rainy season and have since continued on a downward trend.
The situation for the Kafue River Basin, which has traditionally been our most reliable, has not been any better. The Itezhi Tezhi Dam as at 14th May 2024 stood at 39% of usable water for generation of electricity.”
When it comes to power imports, Eng. Kapala said ZESCO Limited has taken steps to steadily increase its power imports as a measure to reduce the deficit to support industries during the emergency period.
“While the power imports have eased pressure on the national grid, it is not without some limitations which include network transmission constraints on some routes within the regional market.
At present, our total power imports (firm and none firm) stand at 188MW. In addition to that, ZESCO Limited has clawed back power from export contracts to a total of 160MW,” he added.
“The Ministry recognizes and values the support of all stakeholders and is particularly grateful to the large power users who have taken steps to support the load management measures.
Notable steps are those taken by customers such as First Quantum Minerals to import power, a move that will ease pressure on the grid. This collaboration authenticates what collective responsibility can achieve in times of a national emergency such as the one we find ourselves in.”