LOAD SHEDDING HOURS REDUCED FURTHER

By Paul Shalala

ZESCO has reduced the duration of load shedding from six to four hours per day.

This follows an increase in the country’s generation capacity of electricity.

Energy Minister PETER KAPALA has attributed the increase in the generation capacity to the rise in water levels in the Kariba Dam, Itezhi-Tezhi and Kafue Gorge reservoir in the past weeks.

Mr. KAPALA says the increase in water levels has led to the country’s generation capacity increasing to 2215 megawatts against the demand of 2380 megawatts.

Speaking at a media engagement organised by the Ministry of Information and Media this afternoon, Mr. KAPALA said at the moment, the country only has a deficit of 165 megawatts which has dropped from 470 a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Mr. KAPALA revealed that the conversion of the TAZAMA pipeline is progressing well and once completed, it will help lower the cost of importing petroleum.

He said the work done so far at TAZAMA is at 15 percent.

The Energy Minister also revealed that works at the Lusaka Bulk Depot have reached 99 percent.

Mr. KAPALA said the depot is a critical facility which will help in the easy supply and distribution of fuel to the rest of the country.

And Mr. KAPALA said some oil marketing companies which have had no fuel for the past few weeks will be dealt with by the Energy Regulation Board -ERB.

He said only a few oil marketing companies have had shortages of fuel while others imported the commodity in bulk.

On harvesting water, Mr. KAPALA revealed that a team of experts has been constituted to map the whole country and find where dams and reservoirs can be built.

He said once the committee suggests possible sites, the construction of reservoirs for harvesting water will start in 2 or 3 years.

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