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LUSAKA. —Zambia’s State-owned power utility ZESCO Limited has increased hours of load shedding to twelve (12) hours daily with effect from January 4, 2023. 

In a statement, ZESCO said the development was in response to a drastic reduction in available water in the Kariba reservoir for electricity generation as well as routine annual maintenance at a smaller power station. Reads the statement: 

ZESCO Limited will with effect from Wednesday, January 4 2023 adjust the hours of load shedding to twelve (12) hours daily, until further notice. 

The Corporation’s ability to meet power demand remains constrained by the drastic reduction in available water in the Kariba reservoir for electricity generation at Kariba North Bank Power Station.

At present, the power station’s generating capacity has been reduced from its installed 1080MegaWatts (MW) to below 400MW. 

Furthermore, the 150MW generator outage at Maamba Collieries Limited Power Plant for routine annual maintenance from 4 January until 20 January 2023 has exacerbated the situation. 

ZESCO deeply regrets the inconvenience caused. — Zambian Times