KARIBA NORTH BANK POWER STATION LIKELY to SHUTDOWN DOWN BY 14TH SEPTEMBER, 2024.

KARIBA NORTH BANK POWER STATION LIKELY to SHUTDOWN DOWN BY 14TH SEPTEMBER, 2024.

FULL STATEMENT FROM ZESCO👇

POWER SUPPLY OUTLOOK FOR SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 2024

Lusaka, 26 August 2024 — ZESCO Limited (“ZESCO”) anticipates a significant power supply gap from the month of September 2024 owing to the growing drought induced hydropower generation deficit which presently stands at 1086 Megawatts (MW) for August 2024 and 1280MW for September 2024.

The expected power supply gap during September is attributed in part to the following factors:

1. Annual plant maintenance by Maamba Energy 
Maamba Energy, one of the Independent Power Producers with a total installed power generation capacity of 300MW, has scheduled annual plant maintenance to be undertaken in the following phases:
– Phase 1: From 27 August to 10 September 2024, 150 MW of generation capacity will be unavailable.
– Phase 2: From 16 September to 30 September 2024, another 150 MW will be offline.

2. Reduced power generation at Kariba North Bank Complex  
As of 23 August 2024, Lake Kariba’s water level stands at 476.81 meters above sea level (masl), representing only 9.05% of the reservoir’s storage capacity—a sharp decline from last year’s 27.53% storage capacity. With water resources nearing the minimum operating level, ZESCO faces the imminent challenge of potentially exhausting the remaining water reserves by 14 September 2024, which could lead to the Kariba North Bank Power Station shutting down.

3. Other factors 
ZESCO’s power supplies are a mix of its own predominantly hydro based sources, solar and thermal sources from Independent Power Producers and imports from the Southern African Power Pool. However, the Corporation is experiencing import route constraints (like on Namibian route), equipment failure due to faults and acts of vandalism, all of which factors cause further system strain especially during the morning peak demand period of 05:00 hours to 10:00 hours and the evening peak of 17:00 hours to 22:00 hours.

Mitigation Efforts: Increased Power Imports
To alleviate the impact of the reduced generation capacity, ZESCO secured an additional 200 Megawatts in imports, effective 1 August 2024. While these imports are critical, they may not be sufficient to fully balance supply and demand. Emergency power rationing remains a possibility, and ZESCO is exploring all available options to stabilize the situation.

Energy Efficiency is Critical
ZESCO encourages all customers—households, businesses, and industries—to take immediate and decisive action to reduce electricity consumption. Energy efficiency is not just a recommendation; it is a necessity during this crisis.

Key energy efficiency measures include:
• Reducing Non-Essential Usage: Limit the use of high-energy-consuming appliances, especially during peak hours.
• Unplugging Devices: Unplug appliances that are not in use to prevent standby power consumption.
• Lighting Efficiency: Use energy-saving LED bulbs and turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.
• Time-Shifting Activities: Schedule energy-intensive activities, such as laundry and cooking, during off-peak hours to reduce strain on the grid.
• Industrial Adjustments: Businesses are encouraged to optimize production schedules and adopt energy management systems to minimize energy usage.

Rising Vandalism: A Serious Concern
ZESCO has observed an increase in the vandalism of power infrastructure, which further disrupts electricity supply. The Corporation urges customers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities near power installations. Additionally, if you experience prolonged power outages, do not assume it is due to scheduled rationing—report it immediately, as it could be caused by vandalism or a technical fault.

Zesco Limited