By KENNEDY MUPESEN?I –
ZESCO needs US$4 million to upgrade transmission lines for effective transmission of additional electricity which is capable of ending the current power outages in the country.
The country now generates power surplus of about 400 Megawatts (MW) but still experiences load-shedding due to non-upgrading of transmission lines.
Currently, the total power output stands at about 2316 MW, more than the demand at peak of around 1900 MW.?Zesco director of generation Linus Chanda said the increased output has, however, not trickled down to reduce power cuts because the transmission lines have not been upgraded to manage the new load.
He said the power utility company needed to mobilise $4 million to upgrade its transmission lines to keep up with the increased power generation.
“Power generation capacity has increased but transmission lines have not been upgraded that is why consumers are still experiencing power cuts,” he said.
Mr Chanda said by 2016 the upgrading of power lines would be completed and assured consumers that load-shedding would the thing of the past.
In the proposed 2015 National Budget, the Government has allocated K600 million to support Zesco for power generation and up-rating of power lines across the country.
Recently, Ministry of Energy and Water Development director of energy Arnold Simwaba said the increased budgetary allocation from K500 million to K600 million would increase access to electricity and completely reduce load-shedding.
“Zambia has a potential of powering the region if power infrastructure is developed that is why the Government is supporting the sector,” he said.