Dam levels at the worlds largest man made lake the Kariba have started to deplete causing concern. Last dam level measurement as per Zambezi River Authority- ZRA website on 10 October, recorded 24% compared to 26% a year ago.
The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation – ZESCO reported on their Facebook page that it would be widening load shedding hours to about 8 in some parts of the country to this effect. The Southern African nation is currently facing an energy crisis due to post El Niño weather effects and low investment in diversified energy sources.
The Copper producing nation has had to expedite energy generation projects such as the 150 megawatt Maamba geothermal plant and improvise excess peak demand through importation from Aggreko via Mozambique power lines at immense costs.
The power issue is very critical for Zambia as most of its productivity engines depend on electricity. “It’s a tough time for Zambia especially that the word power will be echoed more in this quarter of the year in relation to its subsidy gradual potential removal and tarrif hikes to attract investment in the sector. Abnormal rains are expected on the back of El Niño’s sister wave La Niña which many weather analysts forecast could give the waterbodies a lease of hydro to cushion the pressure on the grid” this is according a leading Power and Infrastructure analyst from Lusaka.
