Zesa Holdings has downgraded load-shedding from Stage Two
to Stage One after it started receiving 400MW from Eskom of South Africa last
Thursday, an official has said.
Zesa will now cut off power during the morning and evening
peak hours. The peak hours are 5am to 10am and 5pm to 10pm and are largely
predictable and easy to plan for.
This comes after Government made arrangements with the
South African firm to offset its US$23 million debt by paying US$890 000
weekly.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said the new
development will not do away with load-shedding completely, but will downgrade
to Stage One.
“The electricity supply situation has improved
significantly following interventions by both Government and the line ministry
to access power from the region.
“I can confirm that we started receiving power from Eskom
on Thursday after payment modalities were worked out by both utilities. This
power supply situation gives predictability to load-shedding and largely puts
all customers in Stage 1 load-shedding. So there is significant relief, but
does not eliminate load- shedding,” said Mr Gwasira.
He said the peak times will be from 5 am to 10am and 5pm to
10pm and that consumers would be guided accordingly.
“Load-shedding is a function of demand and supply and when
the demand is low and supply high we do not shed and vice versa. Our mandate is to supply power and not to implement
load-shedding.”
Mr Gwasira said the power will be channelled more to the
productive sectors to allow the economy to function well.
“Eskom power allows the utility to prioritise the
productive sectors to ensure the economy to function,” he said.
He said Kariba lost generation from 1 050 MW to the current
277MW due to low water levels and the gap of about 700 MW from Kariba still
exists.
“Our plants are still old and still have a high frequency
of break down. Kariba has lost 800MW and Eskom is providing 400MW. There is
still a gap of about 400MW which will be managed by load shedding”.
He urged customers to clear off their arrears which have
accumulated to over $1,2 billion to sustain the power supply.
“I also want to add that this power is coming at a great
cost and thereby urge all customers to pay their bills to ensure that the prevailing
electricity supply situation is maintained and sustained. There is still a
great need to conserve the power available,” said Mr Gwasira.
The new load shedding is expected to bring a relief to the
business sector whose operations had been largely affected by the power cuts
forcing them cut operating hours. Herald
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