Zambia to import electricity from Tanzania due to drought

Zambia to import electricity from Tanzania due to drought

Lusaka/Iringa. Zambia’s state-owned electricity utility Zesco said on Monday it is seeking to import power to avert an energy deficit that could affect output in Africa’s second-largest copper producer.

The country generates 86 percent of its electricity from hydropower stations.

Power generation has been hit by a severe drought induced by El Nino, a weather phenomenon resulting from the abnormal warming of the waters in the eastern Pacific, which raises temperatures globally.

As a result, Zambia expects a power generation deficit of 700 megawatts this year, Zesco said in a statement.

“We are negotiating additional electricity imports that will be strategically allocated to crucial sectors, including mining, agriculture, and manufacturing to support economic stability and growth,” Zesco said.

It did not give details of how much power it seeks to import.

Last week, Zesco warned mining companies there may be fluctuations in power supply due to the reduced generation capacity, raising concern over the country’s copper output.

Zambia’s copper output declined to about 698,000 tonnes in 2023 from 763,000 tonne s the prior year, according to the country’s mining chamber.

The potential risk to copper production from the African nation comes at a time when the market is already concerned about tightening global supplies constraining refined production of the metal, which is used in power and construction industries.

Speaking on a live-televised address on Tuesday, Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema said his government was considering to purchase power from Tanzania via the Zambia-Tanzania interconnector.

The proposed electricity purchase underscores the importance of regional collaboration in tackling energy challenges exacerbated by climate change.

It also highlights the potential for infrastructure projects like the Zambia-Tanzania interconnector to facilitate cross-border energy trade, enhancing energy security and stability in the region.

Further details on the terms of the power purchase agreement and the timeline for its implementation are expected to be released soon as both countries work towards finalizing the deal.

Original Media Source

Share this news

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

This Year's Most Read News Stories

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Chief Editor

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.

In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.

The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.

“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.

Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.

Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading

Top News
Investment News Editor

ZSSF money not for projects, says Ali Karume

Unguja. Veteran politician and diplomat Ali Karume has called on authorities of the Zanzibar Revolutionary Government (SMZ) to refrain from using the Zanzibar Social Security Fund money for establishing commercial projects.Continue Reading