SOMEONE PLEASE WHISPER TO BA EDGAR LUNGU: NATIONWIDE POWER BLACKOUTS ARE NOT UNIQUE TO ZAMBIA

SOMEONE PLEASE WHISPER TO BA EDGAR LUNGU: NATIONWIDE POWER BLACKOUTS ARE NOT UNIQUE TO ZAMBIA

By Clayson Hamasaka
Chief Communications Specialist,
State House

Former President Edgar Lungu recently released a lengthy statement criticizing President Hakainde Hichilema over the nationwide power blackout that occurred on Sunday evening during a heavy rainstorm. However, it is important to note that this fault was not exclusive to Zambia. Neighboring countries like Zimbabwe were also affected due to a fault in the Southern African Power Interconnection system.

History shows that mass power outages are not new to Zambia or the region. Similar events occurred under the late President Levy Mwanawasa and during Mr. Lungu’s own presidency. In fact, President Lungu himself was publicly affected by a blackout while watching a football match at Heroes Stadium.

Such outages are not necessarily linked to the level of investment in the electricity sector, particularly in interconnected systems like ours. Even advanced cities like New York have experienced prolonged blackouts, sometimes lasting days before the system is fully restored.

The real issue lies in decades of neglect in diversifying the country’s energy mix—something the Hichilema administration is currently addressing. Edgar Lungu, in particular, left the sector in worse shape. He burdened Zambia with significant electricity debt to Mozambique and failed to resolve disputes between Maamba Coal-Fired Power Plant and ZESCO, resulting in costly litigation in London courts.

Moreover, Lungu’s mismanagement extended beyond electricity. His administration also created chaos in the petroleum sector, failing to remit payments to oil marketing companies despite citizens paying for fuel upfront.

Mr. Lungu claims ZESCO’s current challenges stem from removing “highly qualified engineers.” This claim is disingenuous. Under his leadership, ZESCO payrolls were bloated with ghost workers, including individuals like Francis Muchemwa (alias “America 2”), who were paid illegally. Are these the “highly qualified” individuals he wishes to defend? ZESCO became a cash cow under his administration, drained to the point of dysfunction.

Meanwhile, President Hichilema’s government is taking tangible steps to attract investment in electricity generation and supply. Below are some of the key projects under implementation or in advanced planning stages, as highlighted by Alexander Nkosi:

1. 50 MW Solar Project – Kafue District (Wendit Group)

2. 16.8 MW Chipili & 6 MW Chilongo Hydropower Projects – Kawambwa District (Virunga Power Holdings Ltd.)

3. 175 MW Waste-to-Energy Project – Chongwe District (IIB-DG Genniz Engineering Ltd.)

4. 25 MW Hydro and Solar Hybrid Project – Kawambwa District (B&W Consulting Ltd.)

5. 18.3 MW Hydroelectric Project – Mwinilunga District (Synergy Contracting Zambia Ltd.)

6. 30 MW Wamba Hydroelectric Project – Kafue District (Texxon Energy Ltd.)

7. 72 MW Chamana Coal-Fired Power Project – Sinazongwe District

8. 50 MW Solar PV Project – Sesheke District (Sevenyrds Energy Ltd.)

9. 250 MW Maposa Solar PV Project – Luanshya District (MSR Power Solutions)

10. 12 MW Kapamba Hydroelectric Project – Mpika District (Atlantic Commodities Ltd.)

11. 300 MW Solar PV Project – Serenje District (Ultra Green Corporation Zambia Ltd.)

12. 75 MW Waste-to-Energy Project – Chongwe District (IIB-DG Genniz Engineering Zambia Ltd.)

13. 150 MW Masaiti Solar and Wind Hybrid Project – Masaiti District (Upepo Energy Zambia Limited)

14. 200 MW Unika I Wind Power Project – Katete District (Mphepo Power Ltd.)

15. 25 MW Ilute Solar PV Project – Sesheke District (Western Solar Company Ltd.)

16. Phase II: 300 MW Maamba Coal-Fired Power Project – Maamba District (Maamba Collieries Ltd.)

17. 150 MW Ngonye Falls Hydroelectric Project – Sioma District (Western Power Company Ltd.)

18. 100 MW Chisamba Project – ZESCO Ltd.

These projects aim to make electricity one of Zambia’s major exports, diversify energy sources, and support industrial growth. However, even with these initiatives, nationwide power failures may still occur due to the complexities of interconnected systems.

Former President Lungu should focus on offering constructive solutions instead of politicizing issues rooted in his administration’s failures. President Hichilema is making strides to correct years of neglect, ensuring a brighter and more sustainable energy future for Zambia.