ZESCO Confident in Power Supply Stability as Local Generation Improves
The Senior Manager of ZESCO’s Lusaka Control Centre, Boniface Syasipa, has welcomed recent improvements in local power generation, describing them as crucial to delivering a more reliable electricity supply to households and businesses across Zambia.
Speaking to ZESCO’s in-house media on April 16, Syasipa emphasized that the state-owned utility—responsible for generating about 80% of the country’s electricity—had become more predictable thanks to increased local production.
He cited last year’s drought as a key factor that had forced the country to rely more heavily on electricity imports, contributing to supply disruptions.
“Now that we have improved local generation, we are seeing greater stability. Customers will notice a more consistent and predictable supply,” he said.
Syasipa reported that households in Lusaka and Central Province now receive an average of 7.4 hours of electricity per day, while those in Northern and Southern Provinces enjoy more than eight hours. He attributed this progress to ZESCO’s investments in strengthening local generation capacity.
He also reaffirmed ZESCO’s commitment to supporting small businesses, in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive to prioritize them as key drivers of economic growth.
Syasipa encouraged entrepreneurs to relocate to designated marketplaces equipped with diesel-powered generators, where electricity supply can be better guaranteed.
While the full outlook for hydroelectric generation will only become clear after the rainy season, ZESCO leadership remains optimistic about sustaining and improving electricity delivery across the country.
