ZESCO Declares December Power Supply Target Achieved

State power utility ZESCO Limited says it met its internal target to improve electricity supply by December, pointing to increased generation, better load management, and improved system coordination as contributing factors.

The announcement follows months of constrained power availability driven by reduced water levels at major hydropower stations, heightened demand, and reliance on emergency generation. ZESCO says measures implemented during the year were designed to stabilise the grid ahead of the peak demand period.

According to the utility, the December benchmark was set as part of a broader operational plan aimed at reducing load shedding and restoring predictability to electricity supply. ZESCO says progress was recorded through a combination of increased generation inputs, system optimisation, and coordination with regional power markets.

Hydropower remains the backbone of Zambia’s electricity system, making supply highly sensitive to hydrological conditions. Prolonged dry spells earlier in the year reduced available capacity at key stations, forcing the utility to implement load management schedules and procure supplementary power.

ZESCO says part of its response involved power imports and short-term generation support to bridge supply gaps while longer-term stabilisation measures were put in place. These interventions, the utility says, were costly but necessary to prevent deeper disruptions to households, industry, and essential services.

The utility also points to system efficiency improvements, including better dispatch planning and maintenance coordination, as contributors to improved availability. By December, ZESCO says the cumulative effect of these measures resulted in a more balanced supply position.

Industry stakeholders have long argued that electricity reliability is central to economic activity, particularly for mining, manufacturing, and services that depend on continuous power. While ZESCO’s declaration signals progress, businesses remain cautious, noting that sustained improvement will depend on consistency rather than isolated milestones.

Energy analysts note that meeting an internal target does not automatically translate into uninterrupted supply for all consumers. Localised outages, infrastructure constraints, and demand fluctuations can still affect distribution even when overall generation improves.

ZESCO acknowledges these limitations, saying grid stability remains a work in progress. The utility says ongoing investments in generation diversification, transmission upgrades, and system resilience are intended to reduce future vulnerability to climate variability.

The December milestone, ZESCO says, should be viewed within a broader transition rather than as an endpoint. Power planning cycles extend over years, and sustained reliability will require continued capital investment and policy support.

The utility also points to demand-side management efforts, including efficiency campaigns and coordination with large users, as part of its strategy to balance supply and consumption during periods of stress.

As the new year begins, ZESCO says its focus will shift to maintaining stability while advancing medium- and long-term projects aimed at strengthening the power system. The utility says lessons from the past year are informing operational decisions as it navigates ongoing energy challenges.