ZESCO bows to pressure, set to stagger 8-hour power outages in Lusaka

ZESCO Limited has decided to adjust the current eight-hour power outages into two schedules for residential areas in Lusaka.

This followed a call by Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, to split the power cut into two.

In statement issued in Lusaka on Sunday, ZESCO Spokesperson, Matongo Maumbi, said the utility company had responded to stakeholders’ concerns and decided to stagger the eight-hour daily load for residential areas in Lusaka.

“This means each area will experience two power outages of four hours each, spread throughout the day with an aim to minimize disruption,” Maumbi announced.

For industrial and farming considerations, he said
ZESCO acknowledged the unique needs of industrial and farming operations.

“These sectors will continue to experience a single, uninterrupted eight-hour block of load shedding, with 16 hours of full power supply,” Maumbi said.

He maintained that the current schedule allowed for better production planning.

Maumbi reiterated that the ongoing load shedding programme implemented on March 11, 2024, was a necessary measure to address the national power deficit caused by low generation capacity.

He said staggering residential outages aimed at minimising disruptions while ensuring grid stability.

ZESCO encouraged customers and the public to practice energy efficiency during load shedding periods.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.