Lusaka: Zambia’s national power utility, Zesco Limited, has announced an extension of daily power supply to consumers, increasing it to seven hours from the previous three. According to a statement released by Zesco on Wednesday, this change in the rotational power supply schedule was made possible following a recent tariff increase.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the adjustment is part of Zesco’s strategy to enhance service reliability by optimizing power imports and maximizing the use of contributions from independent power producers. The utility company has cautioned, however, that the power supply schedule may still be subject to occasional changes due to factors such as the availability of power imports or unexpected operational challenges.
The Energy Regulation Board, Zambia’s energy regulator, last month approved Zesco’s request to raise electricity tariffs. A key condition set by the board was the provision of a seven-hour daily power supply. The utility company had sought the emergency rate hik
e to generate an additional 15 million U.S. dollars per month from retail customers. This revenue is intended to support the importation of 788 megawatts of power to alleviate the ongoing electricity shortage.
In recent weeks, Zambian consumers have experienced only three hours of daily power supply, as the country grapples with a significant electricity deficit. This shortage is primarily due to reduced water levels in major hydropower plants, following insufficient rainfall during the 2023/2024 rainy season. Hydropower is a critical energy source for Zambia, accounting for over 80 percent of the country’s energy needs.