Energy and Water Development Deputy Minister Charles Zulu has maintained that the power outage being experienced in the country is not a political issue but due to climate change.
Speaking when he officiated at the launch of the Energy week exhibitions in Chipata this morning, Mr Zulu said climate change has affected the rainfall pattern which has led to low water levels at Kariba dam and the supply of hydro power in the country.
He stated that the power crisis is beyond ZESCO and the Government saying the blame game being played by some sectors will not help improve the situation.
Mr Zulu stated that power outages have affected most countries in the southern region and noted that government has come up with short and long term measures.
He revealed that government has authorized ZESCO to import power from Mozambique and that an additional 150 Megawatts from Maamba Coal powered station would improve power supply in the country.
He noted that government intends to accelerate the completion of Itezhi-Tezhi station which will supply 120 megwatts in 2016.
Mr Zulu also stated that the promotion of generation mixes from alternative and renewable energy technologies such as solar, geothermal, wind and liquid petroleum gas for cooking is also top on government agenda.
He urged the people of Chipata not to be wasteful in the utilization of electricity in order to compliment government efforts in development and rehabilitation of energy generation infrastructure to meet the growing demand.
And speaking at the same occasion, ZESCO Regional Manager Joseph Chilongo said the power utility company has constituted a crisis management team to educate and inform customers on the power imbalance being experienced in the province.
Of course we all know it’s not political you dimwit, it’s plain s’tupidity!
It is very political. It is foolish PF Ministers like you that do not understand. PF has been in power for almost 4 years and if you had made right decisions, have competent people and not cadres like Fr Bwalya at ZESCO, a functional thermal plant would be in operation by now. So , minister please shut the fcuk up! We are tired of rhetoric from retards like you
Nawakwi went around the country showing us dry maize due to less rainfall.Today there is no more less rainfall.when you remain alone you remain alone no delegation.