Zambia has announced plans to recall approximately 100 Megawatts of power currently being exported to neighboring countries to address local electricity shortages.
The East African nation is experiencing significant power outages due to low water levels in its hydropower generation dams, caused by a severe drought.
During a press conference, the Minister for Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, along with the Minister for Energy, Hon. Peter Kapala, revealed the government’s decision, Energy News Africa reports. Hon. Mweetwa stated that Zesco, the national electricity supplier, has been instructed to execute this Cabinet decision promptly.
Negotiations are also underway to recall an additional 195MW, considering existing contractual obligations and the severe drought affecting the region. Zesco has contracts to supply power to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Despite these commitments, Zambia is compelled to import around 165MW of power to alleviate the local shortage.
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Victor Mapani, Managing Director of Zesco Limited, acknowledged the challenges posed by the load shedding, expressing regret over the situation. “Zesco understands the adversities and challenges the load shedding poses, and we sincerely regret that and wish things were different, but as it stands, there is very little we can do about the water shortage,” said Mapani.
In response to the crisis, the government, in partnership with the private sector, is mobilizing resources to open a second plant at Maamba Collieries, which is expected to produce around 300MW. This project, requiring approximately US$80 million, is in the final stages of financial closure.
Additionally, the government plans to install solar energy systems in public universities and colleges to free up energy for other uses. Public institutions such as universities, hospitals, water processing plants, and essential service providers like police stations will not be subject to load shedding.
