Zambia’s state-owned power utility, ZESCO, has secured a deal to purchase 218 megawatts (MW) of electricity from South Africa and Zimbabwe to address a power shortfall resulting from decreased hydropower capacity.
The country faces a deficit exceeding 1,000 MW, exacerbated by dwindling water levels at the Kariba hydropower plant due to lower rainfall and drier conditions. Hydropower accounts for over 75% of Zambia’s total installed capacity of 3,777 MW.
Energy Minister Makozo Chikote announced that the coal-fired Maamba Energy plant will also undergo routine maintenance from late August through September, further reducing power availability by 135 MW.
“ZESCO has arranged to procure 218 MW of power from Eskom in South Africa and the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to help mitigate the anticipated deficit,” Chikote said. The additional electricity is expected to begin supplying Zambia’s national grid this month.
