Zambia extends load-shedding hours

Oscar J Jeke

Zim Now Reporter

Zambia’s Energy Minister, Makozo Chikote has announced the extension of load-shedding hours from 12 hours a day to 17 hours, a move he says has been caused by low water allocation by the Zambezi River authority and low generation at the Mamba power station.

The announcement comes as the country has witnessed a decline in power generation at its two main station, with Kariba low water allocation causing an increase of the power deficit by 300MW, while the scheduled maintenance of the Mamba power station will contribute to a 135MW deficit. The deficit has forced the country to increase the already lengthy hours of load-shedding by five more hours.

The minister, however, highlighted that the country’s generation now stands at 890MW, a quarter of their generation capacity in normal circumstances, while he also blamed the subsidy ratio between importation prices and the selling prices as unsustainable in the current situation. The country imports power at a price of US$12.6c/kWh while selling domestically at US$4.1c/kWh, showing a deficit of US$8.5 that the government subsidise.

“With the impending depletion of ZESCO water allocation at Kariba, the power deficit is expected to increase by 300MW, while the invertible scheduled maintenance at Mamba is expected to cause another 135MW deficit during the month of September 2024.

During all these factors it is necessary to consider extending the current power rationing hours especially for residential customers. From last week’s update, ZESCO did indicate that the average power rationing time was 14 hours per day, therefore the nation is now informed that the official power rationing hours will extend to 17 hours per day effective the 1st of September,” minister Chikote said.

In the past weeks, the minister announced a deal to import 230MW from South Africa and Zimbabwe, in a bid to ease the power crisis, however, the persistent dry spell has had detrimental effects on its water allocation from Zambezi that hinders its hydro power generation.