Minister for Information and Media reveals recall of 100MW from export market

On 17 June, Cornelius Mweetwa, Minister for Information and Media, gave a press briefing to update the nation on the issues the country is facing on load shedding, and the government response.

Mr. Mweetwa opened the briefing by stating, “The government, throughout this period, has been working around the clock to try and promulgate government measures to mitigate the effects of the drought in the frontiers of power generation, and also food, and water, being the main three sectors which have been hit by this drought.”

He announced that Zesco will recall at least 100MW of power from the export market for local utilisation within Zambia.

Currently Zesco is contractually bound to supplying to the exports market, while the government is working on a smooth exit plan of the agreement.

Mr. Mweetwa also reiterated that the government is currently importing 165MW of firm and non-firm power for Zambian use.

He continued, “the government, working with the private sector has come up with a financial solution or package to ensure that the requisite funding required to mobilise the second plant at Maamba Collieries which will be able to produce 300MW of power.”

Meanwhile, he also revealed that the Government had agreed a deal with Ndola Energy, which has lately not been producing power, to start supplying 105MW to Zesco in the next few days.