ENERGY MINISTER ANNOUNCES EXTENDED LOAD-SHEDDING HOURS
Minister of Energy Peter Kapala has declared an increase in load-shedding duration nationwide, extending it from 8 hours to 12 hours.
This expanded period will be divided into 6-hour intervals of power outages.
The decision stems from the alarming decline in water levels available for power generation at the Kariba Dam.
As of May 14, 2024, the water available for power production in this critically affected reservoir stands at 48.6%, yielding 166 Mega Watts from the total installed capacity of 1,080 Mega Watts.
Meanwhile, the situation in the Kafue River Basin, historically Zambia’s most dependable power generation source, is equally dire.
Only 39% of usable water remains for electricity generation in this basin.
Effective from May 20, 2024, the increased load-shedding hours have been implemented.
Meanwhile, ZESCO Limited is actively ramping up its power imports to mitigate the deficit and provide support to industries during this emergency period.
Currently, total power imports stand at 188 Mega Watts.
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