mining companies in zambia won't be affected by power rationing

ZESCO LIMITED HAS DISCLOSED THAT THE COUNTRY’S KEY COPPER MINES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED BY THE PLANNED TWO-WEEK ELECTRICITY RATIONING STARTING TODAY.

ZESCO LIMITED SPOKESPERSON LUCY ZIMBA HAS EXPLAINED THAT THE MINING COMPANIES ARE UNLIKELY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE POWER DEFICIT DUE TO THE BULK POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENTS WHICH IT HAS WITH THEM.

ZESCO WILL SHUT DOWN ONE GENERATOR AT KAFUE GORGE POWER STATION TO FACILITATE ANNUAL MAINTENANCE WORKS.

THE COMPANY HAS EXPLAINED THAT GENERATOR NUMBER THREE WITH A GENERATION CAPACITY OF 150 MEGA WATTS WOULD BE SHUT DOWN FOR A PERIOD OF 14 DAYS AND ONLY EXPECTS TO  RESUME OUTPUT ON THE 26TH JANUARY,2011.

AS A RESULT OF THIS 165 MEGA WATTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON THE NATIONAL GRID, CREATING A POWER DEFICIT PARTICULARLY DURING THE EVENING PEAK DEMAND PERIOD.

THE REHABILITATION WORKS AT KAFUE GORGE AND KARIBA NORTH WILL CUT NATIONAL OUTPUT ALTHOUGH THIS IS EXPECTED TO MAINLY AFFECT EXPORT AVAILABILITY.

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