ZAMBIANS should brace for prolonged load-shedding of up to 15 hours a day for 10 days following Zesco’s loss of 132 megawatts (MW) from one of the independent power producers (IPPs). The loss of 132 MW has been caused by a fault on one of the IPPs’ generating units. Zesco public relations manager Hazel Zulu said in a statement yesterday that the reduced power supply, which started on Wednesday this week, has resulted in increased hours of load-shedding of up to 15 hours per day.

“It should be noted that this additional load-shedding has become essential to protect the power supply system from collapse and ensure that the available power is distributed equitably to all our customers,” Mrs Zulu said. She urged customers to continue employing energyefficient and conservation initiatives, such as completely switching off lights and electrical appliances when they are not in use. Mrs Zulu also urged the public to consider using alternative sources of energy such as gas for cooking and solar for lighting. “Zesco deeply regrets the inconvenience this will cause to our esteemed customers,” she said.

Lusaka residents have already started feeling the effects of prolonged power outages with some areas going up to 20 hours without supply. Zesco stopped importing power from Eskom of South Africa in December last year after a three-month contract expired. During a press briefing on Wednesday, chief Government spokesperson Dora Siliya said Kafue Gorge Lower power station should have this month started producing 250 MW of the 750MW the plant is supposed to generate at full capacity.

She said this has, however, been disrupted by the spread of coronavirus to Zambia. Ms Siliya, who is Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, said load-shedding will soon be a thing of the past once Kafue Gorge Lower power station and some IPPs come on board. In June last year, Zesco started rationing electricity because of low water levels in Kariba Dam caused by poor rainfall during the 2018/19 season