Zambia Extends Power Cuts to 17 Hours Daily. Zambia has announced plans to extend power cuts to 17 hours a day, a decision that will significantly impact households and businesses across the country. The move comes in response to severe electricity shortages caused by reduced water levels in the nation’s hydroelectric dams, which are the primary source of Zambia’s power generation.
The state-owned power utility, ZESCO, revealed that the prolonged load-shedding is necessary to manage the dwindling electricity supply. The country has been grappling with power shortages for several months, but the situation has worsened due to the ongoing drought. As a result, water levels in key reservoirs, such as the Kariba Dam, have dropped to critically low levels, limiting the capacity for power generation.
The extended power cuts will affect various sectors of the economy, particularly mining, which is a crucial industry in Zambia. Mining companies have already expressed concerns about the impact of the power shortages on their operations, warning that prolonged outages could lead to reduced production and potential job losses.
Households will also feel the strain of the extended blackouts, with many relying on generators or alternative energy sources to cope with the outages. The situation has sparked frustration among citizens, who have already been dealing with frequent power cuts over the past year.
In response to the crisis, the Zambian government is exploring options to import electricity from neighboring countries and increase investment in renewable energy projects. However, these measures are unlikely to provide immediate relief, meaning Zambians may have to endure extended power cuts for the foreseeable future.
The decision to extend power cuts underscores the urgent need for Zambia to diversify its energy sources and improve the resilience of its power infrastructure. As the country continues to face challenges related to climate change and energy demand, the government is under pressure to find long-term solutions to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.
