Government says it will escalate investment in solar energy and other alternative sources of power , and importation of diesel powered generators among several intervention measures aimed at helping counter the current power shortage affecting the country.
Minister of Energy, Peter Kapala says strategies have been put in place , that include importation of diesel powered generators and expansion of Maamba Collieries to fill the void created by the diminishing power generation at the Kariba Power Station..
ZANIS reports that Mr Kapala , who was speaking during a tour of the Kariba North Bank Power Station yesterday explained that the government does not want the facility to shut down hence the crafting of several intervention measures.
Mr Kapala , who was accompanied by Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mike Mposha urged the power utility company, ZESCO Limited to ensure solar systems are prioritised during this period of power crisis in order to help reduce over dependence on hydro power.
The Minister of Energy encouraged consumers of electricity to adopt and invest in solar energy for use in their houses.
Mr Kapala stressed that these collective efforts are expected to cushion the impact of the load-shedding on households and businesses.
Mr Kapala added that the government has continued to make positive strides in exploring alternative energy initiatives to ensure sustainable energy across the country through heightened investment and development of nuclear energy, solar, wind and also waste energy generation .
He observed that undertaking the tour of Kariba Power Station was key to resolve the current power crisis and issues around power generation in the country.
The Minister of Energy noted that the current load-shedding has been increased from 8 hours to 12 hours to ensure continued availability of power till the end of the year due to the low water levels at the power facility.
Mr Kapala said plans are underway to review the load-shedding schedule by October when a comprehensive status of the situation at the Kariba Power Station will be available.
He said the review will be key in that it will help to determine water levels at the hydro power stations and will serve as a means to help reduce the hours of load shedding.
And Kariba North Bank Senior Power Station Manager Cephas Museba stated that the power facility could face a complete shutdown if it continues to generate power at its current capacity.
Mr Museba indicated the need for a quick redress from the government so as to ensure power sustainability and avoid a complete shut down.
As at May 14, 2024, the water available for power generation at the Kariba power stands at 48.6 percent, thus allowing on 166 Megawatts of power to be produced from the total installed capacity of 1,080 Mega Watts.
Zambezi River Authority Chief Executive Officer Munyaradzi Munodawafa highlighted the critical water levels at Kariba Dam were only about 1. 4 cubic metres of water remain before reaching the minimum level required for power generation.
Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Mike Mposha called for prudent use of the water resources by entities such as industries and farmers among others to avoid misuse of the commodity and urged stakeholders in the agriculture sector to adopt sustainable irrigation methods.
Mr Mposha noted that the drought has been severe and has affected many things including traditional ceremonies among others due to the low water levels as a result of poor rainfall patterns in the last two years.
The Water Development Minister appealed to Zambians to desist from cutting down trees in areas where water bodies are and called for stepping up of conserving energy.
Mr Mposha also clarified government’s desires to ensure continued supply of water to households and institutions that are within the load-shedding schedule, assuring residents of plans to have water points installed on independent systems so that they are not affected during the loadshedding.
