by Tafanana Kwedu

Load shedding in the country is set to easy further as Lake Kariba water levels continue on the upward trend giving hope to millions of people who depend on electricity, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Prof Mthuli Ncube has said.

Presenting the 2020 Mid Term Budget Review, Prof Ncube said there was a relative improvement in electricity generation during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the last quarter of 2019, with total electricity generated amounting to 1 294 GW/h, up from 1 226 GW/h.

“The improved generation combined with consistent imports resulted in reduced load shedding.

“On a positive development, the Lake Kariba level has continued to rise steadily during the quarter, closing at 478m (19.20% of usable storage). The recovery has been supported by an increased flow of water into the dam following normal to above normal rainfall in the Zambezi water catchment areas,” he said.

Prof Ncube said Government was incorporating other measures to improve availability of electricity in the country.

“Further to this, ZESA is minimising generation losses through a variety of measures which include enhancing generation at small thermals, switching to solar and ensuring cost effective tariffs,” he said.

Government is currently implementing a raft of interventions such as supporting existing and licencing new Independent Power Producers, expanding existing power plants such Hwange Thermal Power Station and raising awareness on the usage of solar energy.