/ 16 June 2009

Zambia hit by nationwide blackouts

Zambian power firm Zesco on Tuesday said it was working around the clock to restore electricity as the country experienced nationwide blackouts.

The country has been without power since Monday night when the entire Leopard substation, which is Zambia’s main power supply, collapsed.

Zesco spokesperson Lucy Zimba said: “We are yet to ascertain what caused the collapse in the entire system.”

Zimba said the whole country was without power. About 1 400MW had been lost so far, she said.

“We are working on normalising the situation and soon some power will be restored,” she added.

Two weeks ago Zambia was plunged into darkness after Zesco shut off two of its six generators at the Kafue Gorge hydropower station after dead weed blocked the facility’s water inlet, resulting in a reduced flow of water.

The company had to import electricity from South Africa and Namibia after nationwide blackouts. Although power was restored the next day, the company implemented load-shedding for several days. — AFP