- Zambia temporarily discontinues electricity exportation to neighbouring countries.
- The power utility stated in a statement that the power station’s installed capacity of 1,080 MW has been reduced to less than 400 MW.
The Zambian government announced a halt to electricity exports to some neighbouring countries due to the southern African country’s reduced power generation capacity.
However, Minister of Energy Peter Kapala stated that the government will not completely eliminate exports in order to maintain existing power markets, according to the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation, the state broadcaster.
The minister stated that the government was aware of the disruptions caused by the ongoing load shedding, but that no complete shutdown was planned. Other power producers, such as the 5-MW Ndola Energy Power Plant in Copperbelt Province and the fifth 120-MW generator at the Kafue Lower Gorge Power Station, are being considered by the government.
President Hakainde Hichilema stated that talks were ongoing to find short-term solutions to the ongoing electricity crisis in order to avoid undoing the progress made in reviving the economy. The Zambian president said in remarks delivered through presidential spokesperson Anthony Bwalya that among the discussions were power export agreements with some neighbouring countries.
Due to a drastic reduction in available water at the country’s largest power plant, the Kariba North Bank Power Station, Zesco Limited announced a 12-hour daily rotational load-shedding exercise.
The power utility stated in a statement that the power station’s installed capacity of 1,080 MW has been reduced to less than 400 MW. The removal of a 150-MW generator from the coal-powered Maamba Collieries Limited Power Plant for routine annual maintenance from January 4 to January 20 has exacerbated the situation.