Load shedding to reduce to two hours, at night

Power utility company ZESCO says it currently testing the evacuation of power from Maamba Coal Thermal Power Plant in Sinazongwe using its power network.

ZESCO Spokesperson Henry Kapata tells QTV News via telephone that the two companies managed to evacuate about 20 Mega Watts of power yesterday during the synchronization of the system.

Mr. Kapata explains that the testing of the system started three weeks ago and that this week is the last one before President Edgar Lungu commissions it mostly likely before the end of the week.

He states that due to the huge demand in Lusaka of about 430Mega Watts of power, the first phase of 150Mega Watts of power will be dedicated to the capital city.

He says the second phase of another 150Mega Watts will be dedicated to the Copperbelt which consumes less power than Lusaka.

Mr. Kapata adds that once the Maamba coal fired power plant is commissioned, residential load shedding will reduce from four hours to two hours, and will be done from 02hrs to 04hrs when people are sleeping.

QFM