Zambia Secures 218 MW Electricity to Mitigate Power Shortage

Zambia's ZESCO will import 218 MW of electricity from South Africa and Zimbabwe amid a severe power shortfall, according to Energy Minister Makozo Chikote. The country faces a deficit of over 1,000 MW, exacerbated by falling water levels at the Kariba hydropower plant and an impending maintenance shutdown at Maamba Energy.

Zambia's state-owned power utility ZESCO is set to tackle a significant electricity shortfall by importing 218 megawatts (MW) from South Africa and Zimbabwe. This move comes in response to reduced hydropower capacity.

According to Zambia's Energy Minister Makozo Chikote, the country faces an energy deficit exceeding 1,000 MW, due to declining water levels at the vital Kariba hydropower plant, linked to decreased rainfall and drier conditions. Hydropower constitutes over 75% of Zambia's total installed capacity of 3,777 MW.

Compounding the issue, the coal-fired Maamba Energy plant will undergo routine maintenance, further removing 135 MW from the grid. ZESCO has secured agreements with Eskom in South Africa and Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) to import electricity to mitigate the anticipated shortage, which will begin to supply the national grid this month.

(With inputs from agencies.)