Govt to support ZESCO financially
By Masauso Mkwayaya
Government says it will help ZESCO financially following the Energy Regulation Board-ERB’s rejection of the utility’s application to increase electricity tariffs.
Energy Permanent Secretary PETER MUMBA says while Government understands and supports the ERB’s decision, it is committed to ensuring ZESCO’s financial stability.
Mr. MUMBA says Government is actively looking into the matter and will update the nation on the specific support that will be rendered to ZESCO.
Speaking at the National Energy Brief in Lusaka today, Mr. MUMBA said part of ZESCO’s financial strain stems from importing electricity at higher costs than the prices at which it is sold domestically.
And Mr. MUMBA has disclosed that the challenges related to importing approximately 100 megawatts through Namibia, which caused prolonged load shedding in the last few days, have been resolved.
He said he now expects the grid to experience some stability according to the load management schedule.
Mr. MUMBA also said nine of the 23 Diesel Generators that Government has bought have arrived in the country.
He says the Generators which will be installed at Chilenje, Nyumbayanga and Soweto Markets and other public places will save about 39 Megawatts of electricity from the grid.
