Business

Water for power generation still low despite better rainfall – Chikote

Published

5 months ago

June 17, 2025

115 Views

ENERGY Minister Makozo Chikote has revealed that water inflows into the country’s hydro reservoirs remain significantly below average, leading to continued shortfalls in electricity generation despite a better rainfall season than last year.
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Delivering a ministerial statement to Parliament yesterday, Chikote said that as of May 30, 2025, Zambia’s electricity generation averaged 1,806 megawatts (MW) against a national demand of 2,400MW, resulting in a power deficit of 594MW.
“Although the 2024/2025 rain season was an improvement over the previous year, the water levels in our reservoirs are still lower than historical averages required for optimal power generation,” he said.
He also presented figures showing that key hydropower stations such as Kariba North Bank, Kafue Gorge Upper and Lower and Itezhi Tezhi had recorded slight gains in power output compared to 2024, but these increases were still not enough to fully meet the demand.
Chikote said Zesco had maintained a load shedding schedule that provides most households with an average of seven hours of electricity per day to manage the shortfall.
He added that essential sectors such as mining, health, water utilities, and irrigation based agriculture were being prioritised to protect the economy from grinding to a halt.
Meanwhile, Chikote raised concern over the growing threat of vandalism, describing it as a criminal act that is undermining efforts to stabilize the power supply.
He revealed that between January and May this year, Zesco recorded 1,156 incidents of vandalism involving its infrastructure, leading to losses estimated at K31 million.
“This criminal behaviour doesn’t just drain public funds, it causes serious disruptions in electricity distribution and affects people’s lives,” he said.
The government, he noted, has since stepped up surveillance, community sensitisation and reinforcement of power installations in a bid to protect national assets.
He issued a stern warning to those involved in such activities, saying the law would catch up with them.
As part of President Hakainde Hichilema’s goal to deliver 1,000MW of solar energy by the end of 2025, several large scale projects are being implemented across the country.
A 100MW solar farm in Chisamba has already been completed and is awaiting commissioning.
Other projects expected to be completed before the end of the year include the 25MW Solar Century in Serenje, the 50MW Mansa Solar plant, the 50MW Cooma Solar project in Choma and the 136MW Itimpi Solar Phase II in Kitwe.
Smaller projects in areas like Shang’ombo, Kasupe and several GETFiT funded sites are also scheduled for rollout in the coming months.
Additional micro generation schemes involving independent power producers are expected to contribute about 95MW by year-end.
Looking beyond 2025, Chikote said government remained focused on increasing power generation through diversified sources.
Several medium term projects have already been lined up for 2026, including an expansion of the coal-fired plant in Maamba, a second phase of the Chisamba solar facility, and off grid rural electrification projects using renewable energy.
“Under the clear guidance of President Hakainde Hichilema, we are taking bold and effective steps to deliver energy security, economic growth and better lives for all Zambians,” he said.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, June 13, 2025
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Business

ZEMA serves Coco Foods a bitter sip, arrest manager for defying shutdown

Published

7 days ago

October 31, 2025

an24afri

40 Views

THE Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) has clamped down on Coco Manufacturing Foods, arresting the company’s manager, Tang Xiao Pin, for refusing to halt operations after being ordered to stop production.
Acting on a tip-off, ZEMA enforcement officers found the factory still running at full capacity despite a previous shutdown notice issued for operating without the necessary environmental clearance under the Environmental Management Act of 2011.
Upon inspection, officers impounded a large consignment of products, among them include thousands of cases of soft drinks, bottled water, juice and biscuits produced after the ban was imposed.
The agency also seized four production lines and sealed off the plant.
According to ZEMA corporate affairs manager Ruth Kamwi, the company had earlier been fined K100,000 for operating without a decision letter and another K80,000 for continuing without a license, bringing the total penalty to K180,000.
“Coco Foods ignored every directive given to them. This arrest is meant to remind other firms that ZEMA regulations must be respected,” Kamwi said.
“The agency will not hesitate to take firm measures against institutions that endanger public safety and the environment through unlawful operations.”
ZEMA has since sealed off the factory and taken control of the seized products, while investigations continue to determine the full extent of the violations.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba October 30, 2025
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Business

Government is not calling for price controls but fair pricing, Ministry of Commerce clarifies

Published

1 week ago

October 30, 2025

an24afri

42 Views

THE Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has moved to clarify recent remarks made by the Minister Chipoka Mulenga on pricing of essential goods, saying the government is not planning to dictate or control prices but merely advocating for fair pricing.
This follows earlier reports suggesting that the government might introduce uniform prices for items such as fertiliser, cooking oil and sugar, which raised questions among businesses owners.
According to a statement by the Ministry, the government wants businesses to be responsible and fair in setting their prices, in line with the improving economic situation.
“The Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon. Chipoka Mulenga, is not calling for price controls,” the Ministry stated.
“What the Minister is advocating for is fair pricing that reflects the current macroeconomic environment.”
Mulenga noted that with the Kwacha stabilising, inflation coming down and fuel prices relatively low, consumers should be able to feel the benefits.
He further urged producers and other industry players to pass on these gains to ordinary Zambians rather than keeping prices artificially high.
Mulenga said the government’s stance is to ensure that businesses are free to operate without government interference, however, with a responsibility to treat consumers fairly.
By George Musonda
Kalemba October 30, 2025
ZESCO Board chairperson Vickson Ncube has emphasised Zambia’s commitment to a diversified energy strategy, moving away from sole reliance on hydropower to ensure national energy […]
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THE Lusaka City Council (LCC) has reduced rentals for upstairs shops at Simon Mwewa Lane Market from K1,500 to K1,000 in an effort to encourage […]

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Business

You are stealing from Zambians, Mposha fumes at late-coming ZEMA officers

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2025

an24afri

66 Views

MINISTER of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha has expressed disappointment at Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) officers who reported late for work following his impromptu visit.
Yesterday morning, Mposha stormed the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) headquarters in Lusaka without warning and what he found left him fuming.
He found only a handful of officers at their desks long after 08:00 hours, the normal reporting time.
Mposha said it was shameful that while President Hakainde Hichilema works up to zero hour, even on weekends, some civil servants still treat government jobs like a weekend retreat.
“If your President is working at midnight, who are you to be reporting for work after 08:00 hours?” he thundered.
“We don’t know 17 hours in this government, we work until the job is done.”
The Minister warned that showing up after 08:20 was not just indiscipline, but theft.
“If you can’t report on time, you are stealing. You are stealing our time and the people’s trust,” he charged.
He said ZEMA’s poor work culture was partly to blame for the delays investors face when seeking environmental approvals, calling for a complete change of attitude.
Furthermore, Mposha was also disappointed by reports that some ZEMA officers were extorting money from clients in exchange for faster approvals.
“I am giving you a friendly warning,” he said sternly.
“Desist from these practices where you want to extort money from clients. I’m watching”
The Minister said he had received alarming information about ZEMA officers who deliberately delay decisions to pressure clients into offering bribes.
He further cautioned that any officer found guilty of extortion would be arrested, not transferred.
Story and Pictures by George Musonda
Kalemba October 14, 2025
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