ZESCO suspends power export

The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) has suspended the export of power to neighbouring countries due to the current electricity deficit the country is facing.

ZESCO Spokesperson Henry Kapata told ZANIS in Lusaka today that the company will only resume power exports when it has excess electricity.

Mr. Kapata explained that ZESCO cannot be irrational as to export power when it is rationing electricity supply to the Zambian people because of the serious shortage.

He said this in reaction to concerns from some members of the public that the power utility company was still exporting electricity to neighbouring countries when the local people were not satisfied with the supply.

Mr. Kapata argued that those accusing ZESCO of exporting power were misleading the citizens.

Lusaka and many other parts of the country have lately been experiencing load shedding of up to eight hours in a day.

Meanwhile, Mr. Kapata has denied allegations that industries located in residential areas experience load shedding from 06:00 hours to22:00 hours.

He stated that industries situated in residential areas only experience load shedding from 22:00 hours to 06: 00 hours when the townships where they are located are loadshedded.

The ZESCO Spokesperson further explained that Zambia was a signatory to other countries in terms of power sharing and that the nation only does so when it has enough and that only the surplus will be exported to those countries in need .

He reiterated that the current power deficit situation has been caused by the low water levels at the Kafue Gorge power station.

Mr. Kapata has since appealed to the people of Zambia bear with the power utility company as the situation was not permanent.