July 7th, 2015 - ZNFU Notes (Load Shedding in Zambia)

Hello sports fans ... just got back from some leave to see the folks in the States. 

Sitting in the dark, surprisingly early after being in the northern U.S. during the height of summer. Darkness has been aided by load shedding, as you'll note below (twice) in the weekly ZNFU update. 

Excerpts from the ZNFU weekly update (Week 27, 2015)

ZESCO TAKES DRASTIC LOADSHEDDING MEASURES

At a ZNFU/ZESCO Committee meeting held on 2^nd July 2015, Zesco presented a gloomy picture of hydro generation of power because of low water levels at Kariba Dam and Itezhi -Tezhi. In a presentation made to farmers representatives from various farming areas which included Mazabuka, Lusaka, Chisamba and Mkushi, Zesco pointed out that at the current rate of generation, water levels would drop drastically by September to a point where generation could ground to a halt.

To avert this situation, Zesco has to drop power generation levels to an average of about 500 MW daily and this is against a maximum daily load of 1500 MW hence they have to engage in drastic demand side management through load shedding of all stakeholders including the mines to balance the load. Therefore, Zesco has worked out load shedding options of at least 8 hours in some areas. Farmers expressed concern over the lack of early warning but Zesco indicated that initial weather forecast provided to them by Meteorological Department (MET) had predicted that water levels would rise but with time this has not materialised.

Amidst all these challenges, farmers engaged in irrigation of winter crops especially wheat are encouraged to familiarize with the load-shedding schedules in the respective area and orient farm operations in line with the load-shedding times. Farmers should also engage local Zesco offices in case of changes to be proposed to the published times. Copies of such requests should be forwarded to the Union to assist with follow up as Zesco has indicated that that they remain committed to work with stakeholders in addressing emerging challenges during this time. At the meeting, farmers also requested that within the farming areas, wheat farmers should be considered for a shorter period of load shedding maximum six hours for the period July through to end of August.

ZESCO LOAD SHEDDING CAUSES HIKE IN FUEL PRICE

The continuous load shedding of power by ZESCO has inspired local fuel vendors in Kasempa district to increase the fuel price to as high as K13.00 per litre. The situation has also compelled motorists to also increase transport fares on some routes within Kasempa district from K10.00 to K 15.00. A check conducted by ZNFU staffer at the only fuel service station in the district found motorists stranded because the service station had not received any fuel since Monday, 29^th July, 2015.

LIONS TERRORIZE CHAVUMA RESIDENTS

It has been reported that 3 lions have been terrorizing farmers in Chikanta area from which the lions have since killed 5 herds of cattle and 3 goats. This has caused panic among the farmers in Chikanta area. This development was confirmed by the District Commissioner Mr. Lawrence Kayumba who warned Chavuma residents who attended the commemoration of the world VCT day to be careful as they go to harvest in the areas near Chikanta.  ZAWA has since moved to the area to try and capture the lions.

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