ZESCO starts importing power from South Africa

By Ruth Chayinda

ZAMBIA has started importing 218 megawatts of power off-peak from South African Electricity Public Utility , Electricity Supply Commission -ESCOM-.

ZESCO Spokesperson, MATONGO MAUMBI says the additional importation of power started on the 1st of August this year to cushion the power deficit in the country.

Mr MAUMBI says this has enabled ZESCO to reach stabilisation levels as the demand of power keeps increasing.

He says the country can now supply power to critical installations such as hospitals, mines and other industries.

Mr MAUMBI also noted that the power utility company is isolating some public institutions so that when the power is rationed they are not affected.

Mr MAUMBI said this in an interview with ZNBC News in Lusaka at the ongoing 96th Agricultural and Commercial Society show.

The ZESCO Spokesperson said the power utility has also procured generators so that when power rationed, public installations will remain powered up.

He said so far 22 have been procured and are expected to be in the country within the month.

Mr. MAUMBI said the generators will be installed in public institutions such as hospital, market areas where it is difficult to isolate the areas from the national grid when load shedded.