ZESCO Launches Maintenance on Key Power Transmission Line Amid Hydropower Deficit
ZESCO Limited has initiated crucial corrective maintenance works on the 220kV Victoria Falls-Sesheke transmission line, a vital power trading route connecting Zambia to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
The maintenance, which will take place from Sunday, 17 November to Thursday, 21 November 2024, from 05:00 hours to 17:00 hours each day, is necessary to enhance the reliability of this transmission line, which has been prone to trippings, especially during the rainy season.
This transmission line plays a key role in Zambia’s power importation, currently supporting up to 250 Megawatts of power from the SAPP market. With the ongoing drought-induced hydropower generation deficit, the country’s reliance on power imports is at an all-time high.
During the maintenance period, the 220kV line will be temporarily unavailable, leading to a shortfall of approximately 220MW in power imports. As a result, ZESCO anticipates significant impacts on the power rationing schedule.
Residential customers will continue to receive an average of 5 hours of power, while industrial and agricultural customers will maintain their allocated 8 and 6 hours, respectively.
In response, ZESCO has activated alternative measures to mitigate the disruption. The utility will optimize power imports via Zimbabwe and increase generation from Independent Power Producers to stabilize supply during this period.
ZESCO has also urged all customers to treat power supply lines as live at all times, as power restoration could occur at any time during the maintenance.
ZESCO extends its gratitude to all customers for their patience and understanding as they work to maintain a reliable power supply amidst challenging circumstances. The company continues to closely monitor the situation and will provide timely updates.
