Energy Permanent Secretary Peter Mumba provided an update on the country’s energy situation during a press briefing today.
The Ministry of Energy announced that the first shipment of nine out of 23 diesel generators has arrived. Installation of these generators will commence this week, with two going to Chilenje and Nyumba Yanga markets, and another two to Soweto market. The remaining 14 generators are expected to arrive next week, with all 23 installations slated for completion by September 30, 2024.
In addition to the 168MW of emergency power imports from ESKOM of South Africa, another 50MW has been secured from the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) and began flowing on August 24, 2024. However, power transfer constraints through Namibia’s Southern Circuit have temporarily reduced power imports by about 100MW, leading to increased load shedding in some areas. A converter fault on the Namibian route was resolved overnight, and network stability is expected to improve.
Currently, the country’s power generation stands at 1,019MW against a demand of 2,400MW, resulting in a deficit of 1,381MW. The government is actively working to enhance power supply to support economic operations.
Regarding ZESCO’s tariff application, the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) recently rejected ZESCO’s emergency tariff increase request. The government is exploring alternative support measures for ZESCO and will provide updates following the ERB’s recommendations.
Additionally, with the recent enactment of the Net Metering Regulations, the ERB has set the net metering tariff at K1.59 per kilowatt-hour, with a distribution use-of-system charge capped at 39 ngwee per kilowatt-hour. These rates are effective until December 31, 2024, after which they may be reviewed.
The government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Power China to establish a framework for power project development and ensure a stable supply. Permanent Secretary Mumba urged energy-intensive consumers to optimize their production schedules and use alternative energy sources where possible to alleviate grid pressure.
