Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has disclosed that ZESCO is still exporting up to 90 megawatts of electricity despite the deficit that the country is currently experiencing.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma says the 90 megawatts of electricity is being exported under firm contracts that ZESCO has signed for bilateral benefits.
Mr. Yaluma says unlike non firm contracts which ZESCO was earlier announced to have terminated, firm contracts under which electricity is currently being exported cannot be terminated abruptly.
He explained in a ministerial statement in Parliament this afternoon that this is because there will be some legal complications on ZESCO and the country as a whole if this happens.
Christopher Yaluma
Mr. Yaluma has however told the House that the country’s power utility company is presently reviewing the firm contracts with view of managing them better.
He has also assured the nation that government is working tirelessly to improve the current situation in the country by undertaking short to medium term measures.
Mr. Yaluma states that government is among other measures arranging for power imports of between 150 and 200 megawatts, in coordination with developers accelerating the implementation of the 300 megawatts Maamba Collieries power plant to be commissioned by November this year and promoting non water dependant renewable energy technologies for electricity production.
He states that all these measures are meant to ensure that there is enough power in the country to sustain current and future economic activities.