ZESCO anticipates a significant power supply gap for September and October 2024 due to drought-induced hydropower deficits and planned maintenance at Maamba Energy.
The 300MW Maamba Energy plant will undergo phased maintenance, reducing its generation capacity by 150MW in late August and another 150MW in September. Additionally, with Lake Kariba’s water level at a critical low, there is a risk of shutting down the Kariba North Bank Power Station by mid-September.
To address the shortfall, ZESCO has secured an additional 200MW in imports; however, power rationing may still be necessary. Customers are advised to reduce electricity usage, particularly during peak hours, to help stabilize the grid.
Rising vandalism of power infrastructure is also a concern; any suspicious activities or unexpected outages should be reported immediately as they may be due to technical faults or vandalism.
