ZESCO Managing Director Victor Mapani says that the effects of the current load-shedding crisis may be prolonged up until the end of the year.
Mr Mapani however said Zesco is looking at ways to address the challenges,with solar being one of the early solutions.
He said that solar being the shortest alternative will take little time frame to set up , while others such as hydro alternatives being set up in various parts of the country may take up more time.
Speaking on Diamond Television last night, Mr Mapani said the current load-shedding will not end in October.
“Costa, first I should correct that I never talked about load-shedding ending in October. The load-shedding will not end in October because where will the water come from? We look at the whole year up to December,” he said.
He said the current water levels will be rationalized up to December, but noted that if this year’s rain pattern will be favourable, the levels would rise faster, thereby cutting down on load-shedding.
When asked if the number of hours in load-shedding will be reduced, Mr Mapani said the hours may not necessarily reduce.
Further, when asked about being selective in how power management was being rationed in terms of load-shedding, Mr Mapani clarified that it is not selective but exemption method is being used.
He noted that some places were being exempted due to having life line areas such as hospitals which could not afford to be put off the grid.
Mr Mapani also clarified that some power generation exports are still taking place due to bilateral agreements with some countries, but that they had cut back on some megawatts to help the current deficit being faced.
He noted that the company is in the process of opening up markets for power generation so as to help wave off the bureaucracy around power generation.
“We are in the process to open up market for power generation,” he noted.
He said opening up a market will allow individuals that have capacity to help address the power deficit that the power generation company has.
Mr Mapani added that to address the whole load-shedding crisis, there is need to explore more on other alternatives and that solar is one alternative that is being worked on as a solution.
“We believe that these plants that are being constructed now within 15 months, the pain will be reduced. We are hoping that other players also looking at other alternatives,” he said.
(Mwebantu, Monday, March 25th, 2024)