Zambia’s power situation is growing from bad to worse as the country’s power utility company, Zesco Limited, announces its inability to implement a 17-hour power rationing schedule which was to commence on 1st September 2024.
The power utility company blamed the situation on an unforeseen development, arising from a number of factors.
Among the factors are reduced power imports from the southern circuit via Namibia due to a converter fault on the transmission line.
The company also talked about ongoing annual plant maintenance works at Maamba Collieries Limited, which has temporarily taken 150 MW off the national grid.
To cushion the impact of this power supply shortfall, Zesco Limited said it had undertaken some measures, including power supply to residential customers for up to three hours per day on a rotational basis to support access to household essentials, such as water pumping, prioritising essential services like health, water pumping, and security and installing diesel-powered generators in some markets to support business continuity.
With the installation of these generators, the utility company also expects to ease grid pressure by freeing up some power initially reserved for exempted loads, which can then be redistributed on the network.
“The corporation will continue to monitor the situation closely and will release an updated power rationing schedule as soon as power supply conditions improve and network stability is achieved.
“We seek our customers’ understanding and patience during this challenging period. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted,” the company stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com