Zambia independent power producing company, Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company (LHPC) has stopped electricity generation at Mita Hills dam due to a drop in water levels .
“The water levels are lower and we are not able to produce enough electricity,” LHPC chief executive officer Katai Kachasa.
“Poor rainfall experienced during the last rainy season has had an effect on the water levels at the dam, and the long dry spells, which affected the Lunsemfwa River, also compounded the situation,” he added.
Electricity generation at LHPC’s hydro-power station had dropped to below 20 megawatts (MW) from 55MW. LHPC is 51 percent owned by Agua Imara, a Norwegian renewable energy company.[eap_ad_2]
The previous owners of LHPC have maintained a 49 percent share through their holding company Wanda Gorge Investments (WGI), which is Agua Imara’s local partner.
Demand for power in Zambia has been growing steadily over the past few years and currently stands at around 1,700 MW.Further delayed investments in transmission and distribution systems have also led to depleting power transmission & distribution capacity.
Zambia economic analysts say rapid increase in power demand is due to the increase in mining and industrial sector investments as well as upsurge in agriculture sector investments and activities. (VENTURES AFRICA)[eap_ad_3]