The government announced on Monday that the country faced a major electricity crisis as power generation capacity had not kept pace with an economic growth spurt.
The energy ministry said in a statement that power supply would be outstripped by demand by next year if no immediate solution was found to avert the situation.
For a long time, Zambia has had a surplus in power capacity from its main hydro-power plants which has allowed the country to export to neighbouring nations.
“The surplus capacity in generation is expected to run out by next year and has far-reaching implications on the national economy,” the statement said.
The government said the demand for power has been steadily growing at an average rate of 150 megawatts per year but current infrastructure developments in the nation had pushed demand too high.
The copper mining industry has experienced major development with foreign investors opening up greenfield mines, while old mines were being expanded following a surge in copper demand on the foreign market.
“The current capacity from our major power stations is not able to support this rate of growth,” the statement said.
Zambia’s power generation capacity stands at around 1 600 megawatts but needs to increase output to about 4 500 megawatts by 2010.
The government has called for a national conference next month to discuss the way forward on how to address the power supply deficit.
This only goes to show how our planning is done.Surely someone involved in the strategizing process must have seen a thing like this coming, or else why is he being paid.It is appaling to say the least that the Government is only calling for a conference now to tackle an issue of such magnitude proportion. Power supply is a life line for a country and a minimum of 5 years forward planning should always be on standby.What is the point in having an Energy Minister, committees on energy,ZESCO Management etc. when no one could see this time bomb.Can someone fire these fat cats from their responsibilities as they have no clue what they are supposed to do
That is why LPM has swapped the inept Konga for Mutati so that he continues his doom from where he left when he was with Zesco.Its a shame how people choose to think like this.
In agreeing with Chimwemwe, I just want to say that an issue of such significance should have pre-occupied the ZESCO/Min. of Energy routine planning meetings. What a mammoth national gathering would achive beats me. Just too many executives in public office do not show anything for all the money they are paid.
Zambia has more waterfalls than any other country in the sub region. The Energy ministry should explore the many ways to develop small and sub power station across Zambia. ZESCO has ran out of ideas because it is politicized so much and the govt control in its affairs. The growth in the Mining sector calls for more development in the energy sector to contend the demand. There is also an increase in domestic demand as well as across the neighbouring states.
With all the sunlight we have in Zambia..why have we not invested heavily in Solar power..we wait until the last minute and then start moaning about what is to come…when will we ever be a more proactive country…or continent for that matter!!!???
With all the sunlight we have in Zambia..why have we not invested heavily in Solar power..we wait until the last minute and then start moaning about what is to come…when will we ever be a more proactive country…or continent for that matter!!!???