ZESCO Limited, Zambian national power utility has announced that Lusaka will face extended load shedding of up to 20 hours daily due to a severe power supply shortfall.
The extended outages are a result of multiple challenges plaguing the nation’s electricity generation and distribution.
ZESCO spokesperson Matongo Maumbi disclosed that the shortfall is primarily due to the commencement of annual maintenance by Maamba Energy, which has taken 150 megawatts off the national grid.
The maintenance, which began on August 27, 2024, is expected to last 15 days, compounding the electricity woes in the country.
Maumbi noted that ZESCO is also dealing with constraints on its power import routes, further intensifying the crisis.
To mitigate the deficit, ZESCO has initiated a clawback of power exports, but the situation remains dire.
Maumbi urged customers, particularly large power users, to optimize their production schedules and explore alternative energy sources.
He emphasized that these measures are critical in relieving pressure on the grid during this challenging period.
