ZESCO says it intends to commence load shedding immediately due to the drop in water levels at Kariba, Itezhi-tezhi and Kafue Gorge.

And ZESCO has invited the Lubinda Habazoka-led Economic Association of Zambia to a consultative meeting to discuss the best ways of managing the load shedding process.

According to the invitation letter dated May 17, ZESCO intends to hold stakeholder meetings in Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola.

“ZESCO invites your institution to a stakeholder consultative meeting that will discuss ZESCO’s power generation and supply in view of the drop in water levels in our main water reservoirs for power generation at Kariba, Itezhi-tezhi and Kafue Gorge respectively. We propose that the meetings take place in Lusaka, Kitwe and Ndola respectively next week,” read the letter.

“During the meeting, ZESCO will provide a brief on the current water levels in all the reserve dams as well as implications of the deficit on our capacity to generate and supply power to all sectors across the country between now and December 2019. In view of the power deficit, ZESCO Limited intends to commence load management to restrict supply immediately. To this effect, as one of our key stakeholders in the economy, it’s imperative that you attend this important meeting to exchange ideas on how best, the load management can be carried out and any mitigation measures that we have put in place to avoid severe effects on your business operations.”